What is this coral?

[cristata.reef]

Due to it being such a small and immature coral piece, I say to watch it and see what it truely does develop into and post growth pics. Only then we can really find out it’s gen. Unless one can say definitely what it is or not is only speculation. I’ll surely be watching for an update on this piece!

I can assure you it’s neither immature nor a commonly sold aquarium coral . I’ve worked with coral biology and taxonomy for about 7 years now as part of a global citizen science program, IDing thousands of different coral observations. It IS a type of “cup coral”. Which one you may ask? Very good question and since they are all pretty much identical until you can compare relative features on each corallite, it’s nearly impossible to tell. If you’re still curious/unconvinced I’d be happy to explain a little more.

 

[reef lover]

Cup coral...generally die off...

 

[Kirschy17]

Cup Coral as stated above multiple times. One of the most common Coral Hitchhikers.

 

[adam finley]

Ok after looking at pictures I agree that it does most resemble the cup coral. Its pretty cool regardless.

 

[RocketBunny]

It's one of the many species of "cup corals". Pacific species are infamous for their poor taxonomical classification so I'd deem it next to impossible to get an accurate ID on these. Corallite structure reminds me of Phyllangia sp. but I'm almost certain that's not what it is.

Yeah... I looked through all the coral taxonomy books for the pacific side... Nothing... It probably is a cup coral of some sort...

But then I came across a coral called Lophelia Pertusa... It really looks like it, but the Lophelia coral branches out...What do you think? Maybe it will grow and branch-out?

++ On Phyllangia... Most possibly it is one of these species.

 

[RocketBunny]

Thanks to everyone for your help! I'll be watching them grow for the next month and will post growth pics! (Unless I forget )

 

[cristata.reef]

Glad we got that one settled. Make sure you feed it @RocketBunny, they have zooxanthellae but not as much as say our common reef corals so they need to be fed every now and then. Plus it'll help them spread

 

[RocketBunny]

Glad we got that one settled. Make sure you feed it @RocketBunny, they have zooxanthellae but not as much as say our common reef corals so they need to be fed every now and then. Plus it'll help them spread

Alright, I'll make sure that Tony will feed them, and once they bud out, I'll get a couple

Also... I got the species, Phyllangia Americana... That is literally it.
Thanks for your help @Sonofives !
Thanks to everyone else as well

 

[cristata.reef]

Alright, I'll make sure that Tony will feed them, and once they bud out, I'll get a couple

Also... I got the species, Phyllangia Americana... That is literally it.
Thanks for your help @Sonofives !
Thanks to everyone else as well

Hate to break it to ya but if it was collected in the Pacific its not P. americana which is an Caribbean species (see why this is so complicated lol). In reality it doesn't rally matter since all cup corals have the same care requirements. Cheers and good luck with it!

 

[RocketBunny]

Hate to break it to ya but if it was collected in the Pacific its not P. americana which is an Caribbean species (see why this is so complicated lol). In reality it doesn't rally matter since all cup corals have the same care requirements. Cheers and good luck with it!

Yeah maybe Tony messed up on the location. I've also read that they are common in the Indian Ocean, Atlantic and Southern Caribbean... Maybe Tony meant the Atlantic??

Nevertheless... it is a beautiful coral. Thanks!
Good Luck Reefing

 

[OneReef]

Majano anemones

 

[RocketBunny]

Majano anemones

those aren't anemones, those are hitch-hiker corals... And I already established their species... Phyllangia Americana..

Nevertheless, Thanks for your answer