Need an ID please

Oceansize · Jun 18, 2015

Hi y'all, brand new to corals. I picked up this frag a couple weeks ago, my LFS owner told me what it is but he has broken English so I couldn't make out what he said and after the third time I was embarrassed to keep asking him to repeat himself so I just nodded and said mmhmm.

Apologies for the crud photo. I have a waterproof case for my phone but it just sprung a leak, so I had to take this from outside the tank and use digital zoom which made it impossible to focus (that plus my fish thought they were getting fed so they kept swimming right in front of the camera, further confusing the focus).

And as long as we're on the subject, can anyone give me a ballpark on how long this species takes to start growing new polyps? Now that it's been a few weeks this little guy is really starting to flourish, all his polyps are finally wide open, fantastic bright color. He's not on a plug or secured with any reef putty, but he is wedged in the live rock quite well (my multitude of snails and hermits have yet to dislodge him). I'm curious how long before I should expect some new polyps to appear and/or how long it will take for the frag to attach itself to the rock, considering there's no plug. I realize there are a ton of variable factors to consider, just wondering if anyone has a ballpark/rough guesstimate.

Thanks in advance!

Barry

Tahoe61 · Jun 18, 2015

Hi Barry,

I am assuming you're addressing the Zoanthids in the image. Popular common name of type I am not sure, the green variety could be Radioactive Dragon eyes, the type with the orange center not sure.

I would only be haphazardly guessing to suggest growth rate. My Zoanthids add a new polyps weekly.

Look around in the Zoanthids forum on R2R and you might stumble on your variety. You can also go to

http://coralpedia.com/

Oceansize · Jun 18, 2015

So this is not an SPS? Well now that makes more sense because this coral doesn't seem like any other SPS I've seen. It's got Small Polyps, but it isn't Stony. I've heard of Zoas but I guess I haven't learned to recognize one until now. This is my first frag (along with an LPS and a Softy) and I've only had them a couple weeks so, like I said I'm way new to coral.

I asked my LFS guy to show me some good SPS for beginners and this coral was next to the ones he showed me. I asked if this one was an SPS too and he nodded. He's a good guy, I don't think he intentionally steered me wrong, it's just hard to communicate.

Thanks for steering me in the right direction. Thanks to you I just learned that I love Zoas!

Crud, and here I was patting myself on the back for having an SPS do really well on my first try.

Tahoe61 · Jun 18, 2015

It might just be the image but I do not see any sps, maybe try another image if you find the ID not appropriate.

Be very happy with your Zoanthids, it's an excellent start. Sps can be head banging frustrating and expensive, sincerely a sps addict.

Oceansize · Jun 18, 2015

I've really been trying to get the balance in my tank just right before delving into SPS, understanding that they have the reputation for being the most challenging thing to keep alive in your average reef aquarium. But now I've finally got my nitrates consistently low and everything is staying alive and flourishing, I finally have my lighting program dialed in, etc. so I'm ready to give SPS a try.

When I dive, my favorite coral is what I believe is called Bird of Prey. That will probably be my next frag.

Tahoe61 · Jun 18, 2015

Is the Bird of Prey a Zoanthid, or another type of coral. Do you have a link to it?

Try some of the Montipora or Seriatopora/Birdsnest when you're ready for sps. If they grow and maintain color then move on more sensitive sps types.