Need an infusion for my confusion

[smokin'reefer]

Hey guys. Ive been going at it for almost two years now and i am having an identity crisis on a couple corals I have acquired.

Nothing two serious, just some things aren't quite adding up.

First, here is what I believe to be a red planet from one of my first coral purchases a while back.

Now I have, for the longest time, believed this to be a Red Planet. Maybe, maybe not. It has always just had this lighter punk color and the lighter greens.

OK, fast forward to just a few months ago, and I purchase this:

I am pretty sure it was described as a tiara del fuego. I know I should pay closer attention, but when I go to this particular lfs, my Grandkids are having a blast with the owner and his assortment of intriging animals.

Now, just a few weeks ago, I am in our other great lfs in my area and purchase this coral. Not my inattention this time, the Saltwater attendant said she believed it might be a Red Planet. No big concern for me, because it was rather large for a good price.

Well it was bigger anyway until I had some Rockwork restructuring break it up. I think there was another piece to, but didn't get the pic.

Well, so my question is, what are your thoughts on my beliefs of what each of these corals names are? Am I close? Or am I so far off the reservation, I should just point and say " That one"?

The latter "Red Planet" seems to look closer to what I think is the Tierra del fuego.

Again, TIA for any and all guidance and or opinions on these.

 

[KMench]

I'm certainly no coral expert, but that doesn't look like my "Red Planet". Mine has a green skin with red polyps. Try googling images and see if they match up with people who can identify their corals definitively.

 

[KMench]

Sorry I don't have more advice. I'm sure someone else will be be able to help!

 

[smokin'reefer]

I'm certainly no coral expert, but that doesn't look like my "Red Planet". Mine has a green skin with red polyps. Try googling images and see if they match up with people who can identify their corals definitively.

I've tried looking at different pics with the Google, and it leaves me with more questions than answers unfortunately.
Everyone says a true Red Planet gets redder with more intense light. So I'm not sure where that leaves me.

 

[KMench]

Yeah, I read that it has a green skin with low light, and it slowly transitions to red and even pink based on light intensity. The frag I have has a bright green skin. I attached a picture of what it looked like when I got it. Since then it's transitioned to a green color.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Yeah, thanks I think. Lol
That looks nothing like any of mine. I might be way off. But it is a place to start.

 

[KMench]

I know what you mean. These corals can take on so many different shapes and colors based on the conditions they are exposed to. I have an impossible time with ID

 

[smokin'reefer]

As long as they are cool and look good, I am content. But knowing what to call it if someone asks would make me seem more in the know. Lol

Some corals there is no doubt about lineage. You can see they're related to the mother colony without a doubt.

 

[TX_Punisher]

I just noticed today my "red planet" started to turn green as the base color.

 

[jbow50]

Your first pick is definitely not a red planet. The second could be and I'm almost positive the third is. Here's mine for reference.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Hmmm, thanks for the input. I knew if I posted, I could get someonr to recgonize some of he more subtle details.

One of my other thoughts is that first guy might be a Miami Orchid this vendor had sent. It's another one the Google elves don't help me much with.

 

[29bonsaireef]

They almost all look like Red Planet. I wouldn't be surprised if half the TDF sold nowadays are really just red planet. OG Tierra Del Fuego has a bit different growth pattern, and some more colors when it grows out. I'd say give them some time to grow and they should be easier to differentiate if they are different corals. They both can take a lot of light, and red planet will turn almost completely red while TDF will have more of a purple/pink and the greens will stay.

 

[smokin'reefer]

They almost all look like Red Planet. I wouldn't be surprised if half the TDF sold nowadays are really just red planet. OG Tierra Del Fuego has a bit different growth pattern, and some more colors when it grows out. I'd say give them some time to grow and they should be easier to differentiate if they are different corals. They both can take a lot of light, and red planet will turn almost completely red while TDF will have more of a purple/pink and the greens will stay.

Thanks. I know the last two are looking the same to me. Both have much quicker growth than the first. Although the first has been thru a lot of abuse as I have learned a bit here and there.