Coral Identification 02/08/09 Hi, I have a coral, which I have thought was a Tubastrea (Sun Coral), but some people think it might be a Dendrophyllia (Dendro) <Just for clarity of those reading, both Tubastrea and Dendrophyllia are in the family Dendrophylliidae. It's confusing I know. In any case, this coral could be either... it's pretty much impossible tell these apart without looking at the exposed skeleton under a microscope.> or Duncan because it looks fairy different than the common sun-corals I've seen. <It doesn't look like a Duncan to me.> I'm guessing it's just a less-common variety of sun coral, but there has been quite an extensive discussion about it amongst some local hobbyists as I've started to trade out some frags. (It is doing very well) It seems to act like a sun coral, naturally only coming out at night, unless I entice it out during the day with feeding. This picture is after feeding a bunch of mysis, and after lights out. <I do hope it's a Tubastrea sun coral... the Dendrophyllia are much more difficult to care for... Best, Sara M.>

Mmm, RMF

Coral ID   1/8/09 Hi Bob, <Hello Beta. Minh at your service.> I have attached a pic of the coral that I need an ID on. I don't much have info on the specimen as the pic was sent to me by a friend. <I assume you are referring to the brilliantly colored yellow encrusting hard coral in the right center of the photograph, correct? At first glance, one could pass this coral to be Porites sp. (perhaps Porites cylindrica). However, upon closer inspection, the polyp size and extension in comparison to the Turbinaria peltata on the lower left indicates another coral from the genus Goniopora in the Poritidae family. The size and extension of the polyps as well as the growth form of this particular specimen resembles Goniopora stutchburyi. However, the coloration of this specimen does not appear to be natural and I'm afraid it could have been dyed. Unfortunately, I have seen similar corals often imported to our local fish stores in the states. More information about dyed corals including a photo of a close matching specimen can be found here: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-09/eb/index.php. Also, more information about care of Goniopora stutchburyi can be found in detail here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/10/aafeature2/. I have been researching Goniopora care for a few years now, so feel free to write back with more information on identification or care of this genus.> Regards Beta India <Good luck. Cheers, Minh Huynh.>

Coral identification & gigas clam shell formation question 9/23/08 WetWeb Staff, First I just wanted to say thank you for providing such a wonderful service. <Welcome> I just have two quick questions. First, regarding dendrophyllia, I purchased a few heads from two different online vendors and can only positively identify one colony as dendrophyllia. I suspect that the second colony might be Tubastrea, but I am really not sure. I was hoping that you wouldn't mind taking a look at the picture attached and offer your best guess as to what the second colony is. I know that the only true way to determine the species is to examine the skeleton, but your best guess would be greatly appreciated. <The photo sent appear to be of the genus Dendrophyllia> My second question is concerning the growth of my gigas clam. Once again, this was an animal acquired from an online vendor. I have had it for just about 3 months now and it is doing fine. I have noticed about a half inch of new growth, but what concerns me is the unusual shape of the shell. I'm guessing that since the clam is doing so well, I really don't need to worry about it, but I am curious to know if the growth pattern has a chance of harming the clam as it grows larger. Pictures are attached for your review. <Not to worry... growth will slow, the shell change a bit going forward> Thanks in advance for your response, and thanks once again for providing invaluable service. Marc <Again, welcome. Bob Fenner>

SPS ID  1/25/08 Crew, Please help me ID this neat little coral I found in the bottom of my trashcan used to cure rock. I assume it is an SPS, Montipora of some sort? It was not this size when I found it, but after putting it in the main display it opened up and seem to instantly start encrusting over what appears to be a dead piece of skeleton that resembles its structure. I'm glad I found it when I did, not sure how much longer it would have lasted in the trashcan. It has some nice color too. Lucky for me, I'm in the middle of slowly converting the display over from a LPS dominate to a SPS dominate tank. It will fit in just fine with the Acroporas. See attached picture. <Looks to be Turbinaria reniformis and is often thrown between LPS and SPS classification. Good lighting and general SPS conditions and you should be fine and have a fast growing hardy inhabitant. See here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dendrophylliidae.htm> Thanks, Bryan <Olly>

Dendropyhillia ID please 01/21/2008 Hi, I'm wondering if you can indentify this coral. I bought it December 26th as Dendropyhillia but the exact species was unknown. It was not advertised where it came from, but the shipment also contained Rhyzos and Monomyces. The shipment arrived very rough. I was actually looking forward to getting my hands on a Rhyzo but for $500 I wanted a healthy one. So I passed and took the other "safe" "rare in the hobby" coral. It didn't open much for the first week or 2. Only enough to feed. Now that its much more settled in its opening every night and looks amazing through the night and early morning. However as soon as the lights fire it starts to close up. I was under the> impression Dendros have little to no reaction to light. <This is incorrect… though many are noted as being weakly photosynthetic> This leads me to believe it could be Tubastrea, meaning I grossly overpaid. The store I bought it from is pretty legit as far as having "rare in the hobby items" I know they aren't rare in the wild but if they don't sell them in shops I'm not going to have them in my tank. Here are the time lapsed pics. I turned on my lights after it had opened up at night to see if it was just a timing thing. MH firing> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/andrewkw/dendro/1.jpg > light fully on (250w 14k)> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/andrewkw/dendro/2.jpg> > > shortly after> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/andrewkw/dendro/3.jpg> > > approx 2minutes later> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/andrewkw/dendro/4.jpg> > > approx 2minutes later> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/andrewkw/dendro/5.jpg> > > 2 more> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/andrewkw/dendro/6.jpg> > > just 2 more minutes and they're closed> http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/andrewkw/dendro/7.jpg> > > this is about 30-40 minutes later> ]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/andrewkw/dendro/8.jpg> > If any other pictures would be helpful let me know. If this is sun > coral I grossly overpaid and will be very disappointed if I can't > enjoy it during the day time. I'm currently feeding daily either Cyclop-Eeze, pe mysis, or my own blend of misc uncooked seafood plus  Cyclop-Eeze.thank you for your help Andrew Kwon>  <This does look like a Dendrophyllia species to me, likely D. arbuscula; but am going to ask SaraM here for her input re. Bob Fenner>

Duncanopsamia axifuga, Whisper Coral, Duncans -12/25/2007
Hey Bob, hope this finds you well and having fun. I most certainly am.
First off... thank you for all your input on my elegance and after reading a few tough emails your way, I would just like to say " with my dumb luck and your excellent advice my elegance is doing wonderfully." ( I would rather be lucky than good, good only gets you so far!!)
<<Sara here now. :-)>>
Second...I think it cool that you have one of my pics adorning the masthead of one of the pages on your site :>)
and now my question...any information on this animal, Duncanopsamia axifuga, Whisper Coral, Duncans.
<<Ugh, these common names can be annoying sometimes. The first time someone told me they had a "Duncan" it was actually an Acanthastrea. So then I thought a "Duncan" was just a name for a type/color variety (or origin description) of Acanthastrea. But, anyway, thanks for the clarification by including the Latin name.>>
I truly believe I have searched the site and other areas to no avail.
<<Hmm, try searching the spelling "Duncanopsammia" --two m's. ;)>>
I am to the understanding this is coming out of Australia and that it is tank cultured and pretty much grows like a weed, is this correct and other knowledge you can lend would be much appreciated.
<<According to Veron's "Corals of the World," they're from the family Dendrophylliidae and naturally found around the northern and western coasts of Australia and in the South China Sea. But unlike their Tubastrea cousins, they ARE zooxanthellate. From what I've heard/read, they prefer swirling water flow and generous feeding. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find much more detailed hobby-focused articles or captive-care information on them.>>
This coral seems to be showing up a lot for it to be "not seen often."
Again, all thanks, and Merry Christmas
Ron
<Don't know much re this particular species care... Am asking SaraM here to reply. BobF>
<<Unfortunately, I don't know that much about them either... but am quite curious now.
Merry Christmas,
Sara M.>>

Re: Duncanopsammia axifuga, Whisper Coral, Duncans -12/26/07
Sara M.
Thank you, the extra "m" was exactly what I needed.
<Ah, good.>
I found lots of info. IMO this is a very beautiful coral, reminds me a little of a Catalaphyllia jardinei but it is not so rare, other than recent arrival to the States. Beginning to think more buzz than anything else. Even still I bought one and am happy I did:>)
<They do seem like interesting/beautiful corals.>
Ron :>)
<Good luck,
Sara M.>

Non-photosynthetic stony coral... Dendrophylliids maybe  11/28/2007 <Hi Bridget, a confused Mich here.> I noticed that your pictures are of the coral when it's not happy. <Huh? Not sure what your referring to here.> Mine started out looking just like the pictures. <Umm, which pictures?> We've had it in the tank for about a year, we started with 4, lost one and now have a new baby popping up. We tried placing it in various locations, up high for more light didn't make it happy. In the currents made it unhappy as well. What we have found that makes it happy. <Am glad to hear.> Low in the tank, on the ground, in the back away from most of the currents. <Interesting, this does look like a Tubastrea aurea to me, which generally like higher flow.> I've been feeding it twice a week with formula one and meaty chopped foods like shrimp and squid etc. <Better if soaked in Selcon.> It has a very large mouth, and can take a small shrimp cut in half with no effort. <Wow!> I divide a full block of formula one between the 4 when I feed it. <Yikes! A lot of food!> I've also started adding the bottled vitamins, calcium, iodide, strontium, and carbonate alkalinity. Made by Reef builder. <I hope you are testing for all that you supplement.> I've also noticed that it swell's to about 3 x it's daytime size at night so it is away from anyone it can sting. <Very good.> Photo's of daytime appearance, it's tentacle's will expand and get long and stringy at night, about 4"-5" long. Tips will flash that white in any reflections, making them stand out. It's probably the most beautiful part of my tank and I really am happy to have this hitchhiker on my live rocks. <Glad to hear.> Your welcome to use my photo's, only wish the camera would show all the real color in the coral. It's drop dead stunning when it's happy!!! <Very good.> Take care <You too Bridget.> Bridget <Cheers, Mich> PS. There is one of those little micro stars (blue and white) next to it for size reference. <Mmm, not seeing this either...> Re: Non-photosynthetic stony coral... Dendrophylliids Maybe or maybe not... 12/1/2007 <Hi Bridget, Mich here again> Epizoanthus couchii http://www.marevita.org/index.php?option=classification&path=Cnidaria/Anthozoa/Zoantharia/Zoanthidea/Epizoantidae/Epizoanthus/Epizoanthus%20couchii Found this website, this is a lot like what I have. <The polyp looks very close, especially the white tips on the end. However Epizoanthus couchii originate in the cold seas surrounding Britain. I would be rather surprised if you somehow managed to acquire this coral, let alone keep it in a warm reef tank. Though it is possible that this is a member of the order Zoanthidea.> I'm finding in my research that the Dendrophylliids are tube like at the base, my coral has no tube, its mouth comes straight out of the rock. <Dendrophylliids are reef-building corals, they have a coral skeleton... The order Zoanthidea is comprised of corals that are not reef building, thus they have no skeletons. This would be a simple place to start to determine what coral you have. So, skeleton or no skeleton?> Do you know anything about this type of coral and are my feeding and care (listed below) correct? <It is possible that the original ID is incorrect, it did bother me that I did not see any pics that had the white tips like yours did, but I find it doubtful that this is Epizoanthus couchii as well, working under the assumption that you are keeping a standard warm water reef system.> Thank you <Welcome! Mich> Bridget Re: Non-photosynthetic stony coral Non-photosynthetic stony coral... Dendrophylliids Maybe or maybe not... 12/3/2007 <Hello Bridget, Mich with you again.> Thank you for this, <Welcome!> I had someone that directed me in the direction of the cup coral's. <There are several corals that are commonly called cup corals... Including Tubastrea which may also be called an orange cup coral.> http://www.kelpfish.net/winners/NovMac01.jpg <The picture is fine but there is no ID on it... not exactly helpful.> Mine varies slightly, most of its pretty darn close http://www.drekster.com/myrescues/coral1.htm Website here of my corals, before and after <I see this.> The variations are in color, more than anything else, mine is brown and pink, one of them has pink spots in the tentacle as well. I suspect they are probably a form of the brown cup coral, or something fairly close to this and yes, the one that died left a skeleton. <Then it is not a part of the Phylum Cnidaria.> They don't retract, just get bigger or smaller, so it's kinda hard to see the skeleton. <But they are present.> In the top picture on my site, bottom, left, middle. you can just barely see the old skeleton, of the one that died. Kinda whitish in that murky darkness, <I think I see what you're referring to here.> and they are right next to the heater in the tank, definitely not cold water. <No.> Thank you so much for your help Hopefully this is a right direction? <Sorta back where we started. Mich> Bridget Re: Non-photosynthetic Stony Coral... Dendrophylliids Maybe... 12/07/2007 Well darn! <Golly gee willikers! Bridget!> You have been so helpful. <Glad you think so... Can't say that I feel that I've been terrible helpful here...> Do you think this might be something that hasn't been named? <Mmm, no, not very likely, more likely just something I'm not familiar with.> Or maybe over looked because it's not real colorful? <Well it does bear resemblance to some other corals, could be a color variation or just not something very common.> I had someone mention to me that they are the same color as the food I've been feeding. I've been running an experiment, since that statement. I am feeding them only formula 2 for 2 days now. Seeing a slight color change, the brown is turning more red. Plan to give it a solid week to see if they might turn green. <Well, I would be surprised to see a color change that quickly, though not sure why you think it might turn green.> We'll see what happens, <Well, keep us posted.> might also explain why we can't ID them. <Mmm, perhaps, but there more than 2000 species of corals and many variations in looks within the each species, so it in not unreasonable that I am unable to give a more certain ID.> Will let you know <Please do!> Thank you, sooooooooooo much <You're welcome! Mich> Bridget

Re: Non-photosynthetic stony coral... Dendrophylliids Maybe 11/29/2007 <Hi Bridget, a confused Mich here.> I noticed that your pictures are of the coral when it's not happy. <Huh? Not sure what your referring to here.> >http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stonycoridfaq.htm The pictures I referred to are on this page, top picture< <<Umm, OK.>> >Mine started out looking just like the pictures.< <Umm, which pictures?> We've had it in the tank for about a year, we started with 4, lost one and now have a new baby popping up. We tried placing it in various locations, up high for more light didn't make it happy. In the currents made it unhappy as well. What we have found that makes it happy. <Am glad to hear.> Low in the tank, on the ground, in the back away from most of the currents. <Interesting, this does look like a Tubastrea aurea to me, which generally like higher flow.> >Thank you for the ID on it, I've found many pictures of them but no real ID, just stony coral!< <<Well it sure looks like a Dendrophylliid, more specifically a Tubastrea aurea, to me.>> I've been feeding it twice a week with formula one and meaty chopped foods like shrimp and squid etc. <Better if soaked in Selcon.> It has a very large mouth, and can take a small shrimp cut in half with no effort. <Wow!> I divide a full block of formula one between the 4 when I feed it. <Yikes! A lot of food!> I've also started adding the bottled vitamins, calcium, iodide, strontium, and carbonate alkalinity. Made by Reef builder. <I hope you are testing for all that you supplement.> I've also noticed that it swell's to about 3 x it's daytime size at night so it is away from anyone it can sting. <Very good.> Photo's of daytime appearance, it's tentacle's will expand and get long and stringy at night, about 4"-5" long. Tips will flash that white in any reflections, making them stand out. It's probably the most beautiful part of my tank and I really am happy to have this hitchhiker on my live rocks. <Glad to hear.> Your welcome to use my photo's, only wish the camera would show all the real color in the coral. It's drop dead stunning when it's happy!!! <Very good.> Take care <You too Bridget.> Bridget <Cheers, Mich> PS. There is one of those little micro stars (blue and white) next to it for size reference. <Mmm, not seeing this either...> >Sending picture again, micro star has one long leg and four short legs (reproduction?) and it's in the bottom right hand corner.< <<I see it now. It is an Asterina star and the physical appearance is likely a result reproduction or recovered injury. They are capable of regeneration.>> Sorry should have told you where to look with this, your site is so big it's easy to get lost. <<There are lifetimes of work on this site.>> Take care <<Thank you Bridget, you take care as well, Mich>> Bridget

Cup Corals... Dendrophylliids?    6/21/07
I recently purchased to two cup corals for my 65g set-up EcoSystem. I did my research and purchased one orange cup coral and one (neon) yellow cup coral. Both reside in caves away from direct light and sit on the live sand.
<Tubastraeas? Live attached to hard substrates, not in sand>
The colonies are structured different for both where the orange cup(s)
are smaller and rounder where the neon yellow is a larger (longer) cup.
I direct feed with a syringe using Cyclop-eeze, a tiny amount of defrosted shrimp and some trace minerals/vitamins once a day.
The two feed differently and the question I have is this The orange cup opens up with a tiny hole for its mouth and with very short polyps (almost appears plump around the small opening with tiny polyps).
The neon yellow cup however responds differently with long neon green/yellow long polyps...almost hairy looking!
Do cup corals have differing polyp lengths like this or is there something wrong with the orange cup with the small short polyps.
<Mmm, would you send along pix and/or scientific names for these organisms?>
They are healthy and look great but I don't understand this difference.
Thoughts?
Thanks so much,
Geno
<Bob Fenner>
 

Re: Turbinaria species, Dyed coral
Anthony...How can I better tell if this is a dyed animal? 
<a matter of experience/information... size/shape of corallites and polyp structures on the corallum indicate that this animal is almost certainly T. peltata. It really cannot be anything else. Color has nothing to do with coral identification. T. peltata for that matter occurs in brown, green, teal, pink/tan, etc. Unfortunately yellow is not a naturally occurring color for this species. Furthermore, T. peltata is categorically in the top three commonly dyed coral. A truly abhorrent practice as I'm sure you'd agree. An insult to the magnificent beauty of the coral reef in all of its natural forms. Reports indicate that this animal for its hardiness may survive the dye job although not without some stress. Occasional feeding of very fine food will be especially helpful to compensate for the reduced symbiotic activity of the now masked (dyed/pigmented) tissue for zooxanthellae> 
All areas of the coral that are flesh covered are the same shade of yellow. There is an area near the base stem that are not flesh covered and it is pure white. If this is in fact a dyed animal, what type of success do you predict (i.e. is there any chance)? In the future, how can I avoid the purchase of a dyed coral.
<just research a species before you buy it. Know its needs, hardiness, natural behavior (and colors<G>). Also read about current trends in the industry... many threads about dyed corals on the big forums and message boards. Membership in a good local aquarium society as well will keep you informed>
Regarding the Sebae, I have it under 275w PC lighting. 3X55 10k/actinic, 1x55 6400k, 1x55 actinic. I change my bulbs app. each 12 months...not all at once, but about 1 every month or so until they are fresh. 
<excellent technique with the bulbs! Kudos>
I feed the anemone about once per week, usually squid, octopus, or shrimp. Also, I have "blender mush" that I feed the tank and usually the tomato clown gives a chunk to the anemone. 
<also excellent>
When I bought the anemone it was pure white with purple tips. A few days later it expelled more zoo (sp?) anthe and proceeded to let go of the rock it was on and roll around the tank. 
<yes... sadly typical>
I moved it to a preferred (by me) position under the lights, and it grabbed on, only moving about 8" to the place where it has been for last 22 months or so. It has since turned brown, but has grown in size from 3" across to now more than 14".
<excellent... a success story. Thank you for sharing it. FAQ readers take heed>
I change about 15g per month in this 50g system. I rarely use carbon at all, but I do get a lot of skimmate from my Bak-Pak skimmer. 
<yes.... critical for exporting dissolved organics especially with your lack of carbon and average water changes schedule>
My water is usually crystal clear, but I use tap water so I get some diatom algae. 
<not a crime>
For current, I have the Rio 600 on the skimmer, AquaClear 802 ph, AquaClear 301 ph, and Catalina 100 PH. They are all on different flow paths so the current is pretty random. 
<wow... fantastic! over 1000pgh total circulation in this 50 gall but strategically random turbulent. Highly effective and to be recommended. Keeps detritus in suspension for a good skimmer, feeds corals more, etc>
Also, I have my LR elevated above the DSB with the Catalina PH blowing directly under the LR structure. I maintain my Ph at 8.4, Alk at 14dKh, CA at 350-400ppm. I don't have any measurable NO2 or Ammonia, but my NO3 is usually about 5-10 ppm. I supplement with Kent Superbuffer, strontium/molybdenum, Zoë, and some other that I can't remember.
<sounds very fine>
Other corals in the system are: Hammer, Brain, Frogspawn, bubble, candycane, lots of colts, Sarcophyton, Sinularia, green star polyps, hairy 'shrooms, other misc. 'shrooms, and fox coral. I'm thinking of adding a pink Fungia and maybe a couple of brightly colored sponges. Attached is a pic of the system taken in April...it looks a little different now.
<again... thank you for sharing. Best regards, Anthony>

Coral ID- Yellow Scroll coral  2/9/03
Hi Bob, or whoever answers this.
<Anthony Calfo in your service>
What is the name of the hard coral in the 5th picture down on the 'Marine Maintenance' page?
<Turbinaria mesentaria- Yellow Scroll coral. It is very hardy and very weakly aggressive (protect from other corals with, say, a 25 cm buffer zone). It does not/cannot feed on prepared food (polyps are too small... requires nanoplankton and dissolved organics), but does require very bright light and very strong random turbulent water flow>
I bought one of these from a bloke who was giving up the hobby, but he did not know the name. I have had it now for several months and it is doing fine. Many thanks Colin
<excellent to hear. Its not an especially fast grower... but will let you know promptly when nitrates are too high or light is too low by turning a darker (golden/brown) color. No worries on polyp extension here... it is weak and usually just at night. Best regards, Anthony>