Help with ID Please

[biggles]

Hoping someone can tell me what this one is. I adjusted the levels so the color is pretty much what you see in the tank, LFS didn't know what it was either.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a553/BigglesRC/IMG_0722_zpsf2614e21.jpg

[DerekFF]

Red/orange stylo?


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[biggles]

Thanks but i don't think so, the colony is about 8" dia and those branches are over an inch across at the top. I was thinking a type of porites maybe.

http://coral.aims.gov.au/speciesPages/species_metadata/0605/view#

[Frick]

Very Cool Coral! i am thinking a Porites species as well. Possibly a Madracis sp. Can you get a clear up close picture of the corallite with the polyp closed?

[dvanacker]

Porites maybe but its looks strange to me.....almost like a pavona.

[Frick]

Porites maybe but its looks strange to me.....almost like a pavona.

Like Pavona maldivensis? That can branch. That color would be very unusual for Pavona. I would flip if I saw that color combo on Pavona.
http://coral.aims.gov.au/speciesPages/species_metadata/0293/view#
http://coral.aims.gov.au/coral-images/preview/0293_C1_01.jpg

To get a better idea I would have to see closer focused pics of the corallites. Right now i am torn between four different corals. There's no was i could narrow it down to a species with the pic here.

[biggles]

Thanks for the help guys, this is the best i can do with my iphone for now but i plan to move it off the bottom in the next few days and i will place it near the glass and get some good closeups. Taken under T5's only so the color is a mess, i will have the radium on when i take the next shots which will whiten things up a lot.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a553/BigglesRC/a1_zps6663b172.png

The bottom right shows how small they are and flat when closed - 1/16" white dots. It feels like 120 grit smooth sand paper to the touch unlike the slight bumpiness i normally feel when touching porites. It's only been a week but it's a very happy camper and so far the color hasn't shifted.

[Frick]

I am going to have to agree with Darryl with Pavona now. Those corallites really do look like Pavona maldivensis. I am 99% sure.
http://coral.aims.gov.au/coral-images/preview/0293_BW2_02.jpg

[biggles]

After looking at the Pavona maldivensis link you provided i have to agree with your ID despite the odd color. Thanks again Darryl and Jason :) I'll still get you a clear closeup when i move the colony just for reference - the LFS gave it to me for cost as no SPS customers wanted it without knowing what it was so i gladly paid $40- and scooped it up.

[Frick]

Athe LFS gave it to me for cost as no SPS customers wanted it without knowing what it was so i gladly paid $40- and scooped it up.

:eek2::eek2::eek2: I probably would have had a mini heart attack while drooling and shaking if i was given that for $40. Nice find.

[biggles]

As promised here are a couple of closer shots taken under full tank lighting, very pretty structure and a lot pinker under the halide rather than orange looking under blue T5's only - thanks again for the help. :)

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a553/BigglesRC/pav1_zpscb2e471b.jpg

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a553/BigglesRC/pav2_zps9a98b989.jpg

[MammothReefer]

pavona

[Frick]

With those last pics there is really no doubt left that it is Pavona maldivensis. Here is the states just one of those knobs would sell for $40.

[Ptyochromis]

Pavona sp. for sure.

Edit: I would recognize that polyp structure anywhere.

Edit 2: be careful where you put it. They will sting other corals if too close.

[biggles]

Edit 2: be careful where you put it. They will sting other corals if too close.

Thanks for the heads up mate, as long as it doesn't go out of it's way to kill it's coral neighbors i'll be happy. If it's anything like the psychopathic Hydnophora i once owned it will be out of the tank in a blink.

[Ptyochromis]

Nope, nothing like Hydnophora as far as aggression. I have heard stories of hydnophora beating back aiptasia.

Never seen my pavona extend polyps over a few mm.