Wild coral identification

[DragoJustin]

I went scuba diving in the Bahamas and I found a large colony of this coral, I brought a piece home with me and it is a very strange coral. It is one solid chunk and it seems to be a stony coral, but when it is fully opened it almost looks like zoanthid polyp heads. The body tissue seems to be very white and opaque so I know that it is not bleaching, and when the polyps extend it seems to be a brownish yellow color.

Any idea what it is?

 

[Fishfinder]

Illegal too...

 

[Leadfooted]

Very illegal

 

[DragoJustin]

Illegal too...

No, it was a private reef “owned by CORAL VITA” and I ended up getting permission from the owner of the tour guide. And under Bahamian law as long as it isn’t an issue with locals it is fine to take across customs. Therefore since it was acceptable through the owner of this private reef it was legal for me to take it. I am just speaking whether or not it was morally acceptable to take it and also what kind of coral is it.

 

[Fishfinder]

Might not have been against the law in the Bahamas but still illegal to bring into the country

 

[DSC reef]

It's been identified in your other thread, palythoa tuberculosa. I would not have taken the coral into the country and I would check the laws.

 

[Brad Miller]

Uh oh....
You are now the proud owner of an illegal Palythoa Tuberculosa, not too many hobbyists can say that...
I'm jealous