Pocillopora or Stylophora ID

Reeves' Reef · Feb 5, 2019

Hi Guys and Gals,
I think I have narrowed it down to one of these two. I am also interested in further ID beyond the type. Let me give you the background on this coral. Received it from a vendor in a 50 frag pack. I asked them to ID it but they did not respond and it is not listed on their wholesale listing anyway. All the other coral I was able to ID for labeling. The first photo is the most current and the second one is when I first got it about 30 days ago. As you can see the skin is turning green and it is growing at a good rate. It was a monotone purple for the fist two weeks before it starting to get color. This is why I was leaning toward a Pocillopora or Stylophora. Your experience and opinion is appreciated.

gonzo620 · Feb 6, 2019

I’m leaning more to Poccilopora, but the photos are too fuzzy for me to confidently say.

Gareth elliott · Feb 6, 2019

Also leaning to poccilopora. Key difference is the overall unevenness of the colony. Where the green stylo in the back has an overall rounded appearance, where as the poci resembles more of a shrub pine(sorry jerseyite lol)

Reeves' Reef · Feb 7, 2019

gonzo620 said:
I’m leaning more to Poccilopora, but the photos are too fuzzy for me to confidently say.

When I get chance to move it closer to the glass it should be clearer. That is zoomed in through a foot of water and it doesn't focus so well. And I bet having the flow whipping the polyps around can't be helping.

Reeves' Reef · Feb 7, 2019

Gareth elliott said:
Also leaning to poccilopora. Key difference is the overall unevenness of the colony. Where the green stylo in the back has an overall rounded appearance, where as the poci resembles more of a shrub pine(sorry jerseyite lol)

You got that right, but that green blur is a Pocillopora and when you can see it, it is uneven. Those were my thoughts, Pocillopora. I put this in my grow out section to see what develops. As you can see the green skin coming through. Here are my Pocillopora and Stylophora both top down views.