How to tell sps apart

[Brian W]

What are the different varieties of sps.

EX: Acropora
Digitata
Millepora
Tenuis
Birdsnest
Monti
Stylo
spongodes

I know there's is way more but i'm starting to not recognize a Tenuis from an Acro, etc

 

[happyhourhero]

Acropora: Tenuis, Millepora, validia, austera, granulosa, etc

Montipora: Digitada, Spongodes, Capicornis, Undata, etc

Birdsnest
Stylo

To ID each of these can get pretty technical but to the average hobbyist we can look for certain things that may help.

Acros have many different polyp styles and branch structures. You kind of just need to see enough of certain kinds to know what they are. Tenuis and Millepora are easy. Millies have the long polyps usually and the Tenuis also has bushy polyps.

Montis all have the same looking polyps and usually dont have corallites like acros. They are smooth for the most part with the same flower looking polyps. Digitada will be branching and caps are scrolling, spongodes is always bright green with brown polyps and can be teddy bear like or bright green with fairly green polyps.

Birdsnests have an almost velvet look to some of them and some of them have polyps in straight rows. Most have thin but tightly packed branches and some have pointed growth tips.

Really its just experience that will let you learn them over time.

 

[Tahoe61]

Corallite structures is a key factor. Both growth patterns and coloration are highly variable based on environmental factors.

Try going to DiversDen, the sps section has many examples of different sps. Typically their ID's of different acropora is right on.

Two more sites
http://www.coralhub.info/terms/corallite/
http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsegroupspecies.php?GroupID=133

As mentioned it takes experience and practice especially when it comes to Acropora.

 

[PeterErc]

here's a good place to start
http://coral.aims.gov.au/

then try to identify
http://coral.aims.gov.au/info/factsheets.jsp

 

[Brian W]

here's a good place to start
http://coral.aims.gov.au/

then try to identify
http://coral.aims.gov.au/info/factsheets.jsp

Perfect. Thank you!

 

[Brian W]

Acropora: Tenuis, Millepora, validia, austera, granulosa, etc

Montipora: Digitada, Spongodes, Capicornis, Undata, etc

Birdsnest
Stylo

To ID each of these can get pretty technical but to the average hobbyist we can look for certain things that may help.

Acros have many different polyp styles and branch structures. You kind of just need to see enough of certain kinds to know what they are. Tenuis and Millepora are easy. Millies have the long polyps usually and the Tenuis also has bushy polyps.

Montis all have the same looking polyps and usually dont have corallites like acros. They are smooth for the most part with the same flower looking polyps. Digitada will be branching and caps are scrolling, spongodes is always bright green with brown polyps and can be teddy bear like or bright green with fairly green polyps.

Birdsnests have an almost velvet look to some of them and some of them have polyps in straight rows. Most have thin but tightly packed branches and some have pointed growth tips.

Really its just experience that will let you learn them over time.

Thanks.

 

[Brian W]

Corallite structures is a key factor. Both growth patterns and coloration are highly variable based on environmental factors.

Try going to DiversDen, the sps section has many examples of different sps. Typically their ID's of different acropora is right on.

Two more sites
http://www.coralhub.info/terms/corallite/
http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsegroupspecies.php?GroupID=133

As mentioned it takes experience and practice especially when it comes to Acropora.

Thanks