What is this coral?

[eliaslikesfish]

Hey all,

I got this rock with some zoanthids, green star polyps and then this mystery coral in the front, anyone know what it is and if it’s fully open or not? I completely forgot what the guy at my lfs said it was.

Thank is in advance,
Elias

 

[DanyL]

You mean the brown/purple Palythoas?

 

[twentyleagues]

I see unhappy zoas, somewhat happy zoas, and gsp. Am I missing something?

 

[eliaslikesfish]

I see unhappy zoas, somewhat happy zoas, and gsp. Am I missing something?

the ones in the very front brownish/purple

also, yeah the zoas in the back look like they’re goners, the zoas on the left were starting to close because my lights are winding down but they also weren’t completely open, haven’t been yet but they get more open every day

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

the ones in the very front brownish/purple

also, yeah the zoas in the back look like they’re goners, the zoas on the left were starting to close because my lights are winding down but they also weren’t completely open, haven’t been yet but they get more open every day

Palythoa

 

[eliaslikesfish]

You mean the brown/purple Palythoas?

I think so? the ones sort of in front of the gsp but also to the left. if so, how much more open are they supposed to get?

 

[sfin52]

Agree purple death death paly

 

[sfin52]

Hey all,

I got this rock with some zoanthids, green star polyps and then this mystery coral in the front, anyone know what it is and if it’s fully open or not? I completely forgot what the guy at my lfs said it was.

Thank is in advance,
Elias

I would separate the 4 corals. One will choke the others out and my bet is on gsp.

 

[DanyL]

I think so? the ones sort of in front of the gsp but also to the left. if so, how much more open are they supposed to get?

These are likely something similar to purple death. I would say they look just fine.

 

[eliaslikesfish]

I would separate the 4 corals. One will choke the others out and my bet is on gsp.

Thanks for the advice! I'll do that today.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey all,

I got this rock with some zoanthids, green star polyps and then this mystery coral in the front, anyone know what it is and if it’s fully open or not? I completely forgot what the guy at my lfs said it was.

Thank is in advance,
Elias

Purple death Palythoas

 

[encrustingacro]

Zoanthus cf vietnamensis or gigantus, not Palythoa. Tentacles don't look right for Paly and no capitulary ridges.

 

[ReefingDreams]

Thanks for the advice! I'll do that today.

If you haven't done this already, please refrain. The "purple death" are what are known as protopalythoas and are one of the most toxic of the paly/zoa species. I personally have been hit with palytoxin with some careless fragging of "purple death" palys with a bandsaw. It it not to be taken lightly. Many people in the hobby have been impacted by this. Reef Beef has a good accounting of this in a recent video and short they posted. Proceed with extreme caution.

 

[VintageReefer]

I do not think those are purple death palythoas which are typically true purple with striations/lines, and green lashes

 

[ReefingDreams]

I do not think those are purple death palythoas which are typically true purple with striations/lines, and green lashes

Tough call from the picture. Regardless, they do appear to be palythoa of some variety.