Help with ID

[Phildago]

Hey guys

I've had this coral for awhile now and it's done great in my tank. Amazing color, does well in any well lit area of the tank regardless of flow, and I've fragged it a few times to spread the wealth throughout the tank.

The thing is I've never been able to ID it and the owner of the store I bought it from didn't have one for me either.

It likes to encrust but does definitely grow branches. The branches are very thick.

I'd appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Would need to see some branches to know what it might be.

 

[Crystal clear]

It’s definitely currently green, whatever it is

 

[C. Eymann]

Agree with above, need to see some branch structure.

 

[Phildago]

I hope these pics can help. I pretty much fragged all the branches because of how it was occluding the view of a few other corals.

 

[Phildago]

Would need to see some branches to know what it might be.

Agree with above, need to see some branch structure.

Hopefully the picture of the fragged branches can help you guys

 

[C. Eymann]

Picture quality isnt that good but from what I can see, I'd start referencing it with Acropora glauca, A. retusa or A. globiceps

 

[Phildago]

Picture quality isnt that good but from what I can see, I'd start referencing it with Acropora glauca, A. retusa or A. globiceps

so far acropora samoensis seems to be the closes i could find. The corallites are not prominent not tubular and the branches are irregular and thick.

 

[C. Eymann]

so far acropora samoensis seems to be the closes i could find. The corallites are not prominent not tubular and the branches are irregular and thick.

A. samoensis is pretty much the opposite as you describe, as samoensis has tubular raidal corallites, again though, it's all mostly base and you pics are fuzzy, so your eyes are better than mine here

 

[Phildago]

A. samoensis is pretty much the opposite as you describe, as samoensis has tubular raidal corallites, again though, it's all mostly base and you pics are fuzzy, so your eyes are better than mine here

 

[Phildago]

Is there any method to searching by morphology? I'm a newbe at correctly describing structure, but can't corallite structure vary depending on whether they are at the base or on a branch?

 

[Phildago]

A. samoensis is pretty much the opposite as you describe, as samoensis has tubular raidal corallites, again though, it's all mostly base and you pics are fuzzy, so your eyes are better than mine here

As seen bellow, some of the corallites do seem tubular.

 

[Phildago]

I found a Pic from before I fragged it

 

[C. Eymann]

Unfortunately there really isnt a way to search by morphological traits, you basically look towards species that you know share similar traits and go from there.
Again, need some new growth/branch formation to really get a more accurate ID.

Yes radial corallites can become more prominent/less prominent towards the tips/base of branches vise versa depending on species, samoensis is actually one where they become more prominent towards the base, where as with A. glauca/ A. retusa its opposite, their radials become more appressed/ compacted looking towards the base.

Again, cannot confidently ID without seeing branch structure/new growth. I can only give you suggestions as to where I would start referencing and look at similar species.

Hope this helps

A. glauca

 

[Phildago]

I do think it helps a bit, but it's pretty clear that I'll have to wait until it grows out a bit more in order to properly identify its morphology.

I really appreciate the assistance and your expertise

 

[C. Eymann]

I do think it helps a bit, but it's pretty clear that I'll have to wait until it grows out a bit more in order to properly identify its morphology.

I really appreciate the assistance and your expertise

Well I dont know about "expertise" as I'm far from an expert.

But I'm glad I could provide a little guidance. Hope it does well for you!

 

[Phildago]

Well I dont know about "expertise" as I'm far from an expert.

But I'm glad I could provide a little guidance. Hope it does well for you!

LOL I'm not sure about that. You've helped me a few times now, and I've seen your methodical approach on quite a few posts.