Brain ID Please.

[Quis]

What kind of brain is this, and what do I need to know for it to be happy? I got it four days ago. Thanks.


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/Quis11419/S4300067.jpg

[Justin74]

Hmm, that looks like several possibilities. My first guess would be some favites. But some of the meandering coralites gives it that platigyra look. Definately a faviid :DBeautifull specimen nevertheless, you can tell that thing would really light up under actinics, great find!


-Justin

[Quis]

Justin I think it's some type of favites too. I got it from a friend who doesn't know what it was either. It also stand out under actinics. I wish I knew exactly what it is.

[GMAX]

I would say Platygyra probably Acuta.

[Justin74]

Good guess Gmax, I looked it up and indeed looks very similar to that, but then I started looking at some favites too and check this out
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/101-200/Species%20pages/164.htm

The second pic from the left?I cant really tell the difference, and the growth of the coralites is virtually identical to me. Amazing how totally different genus's can look look so identical, let alone species within a genus.

[GMAX]

Justin

The hardest thing is that you dont where the coral was collected, and location and flow can and does affect the growth on many corals. Plus we rarely see an extremely clear photo, and even rarer to see the skeleton.

You are right that many corals look alike. Note that the coral you are looking at is described as being similar to an Acan Echinata, third Genus!

That being said look at the two pictures again. On the Flexuosa, the teeth of the septia are very prominent. And the corralites are both angular and deep. Now look at Quis's photo. Teeth are not very prominent and the corralites while deep are not angular. I dont think its the same but as I say above there are plenty of limitations on what we are doing.

[Quis]

When you think you know what it is you see another coral that look very similar, so you back and forth trying to guess what it. I guess we will never know for sure what it is.

[GMAX]

Quis

Distinguishing corals is difficult. Many of the Cites permits only list certain corals by genus and dont get down into species, because even experts ( and custom inspectors ) have difficulties distinguishing corals at the species level. And as you see, even two different genus can look a lot alike.

But regardless, you can enjoy your great looking healthy coral ( which I would bet is a platygyra based on what I can see from the photo )>

[Quis]

Gmax I understand what you are saying, I just wish I knew what it was. What ever kind of Platygyra it is I hope I will be able to take good care of it. Thanks Justin74 and Gmax for trying to help me ID this coral.