What Is This?

[mhagst1]

I got a shipment of coral in, and it came with and extra piece. I’m not complaining, I would just like to know what it is. It has a bone colored base with brown/orange polyps. I fragged a couple pieces and its very brittle. Any guesses.

Matt

[minfinger]

Looks like some kind of Acropora...I'll keep looking..

I almost wanted to say Porities, but I've ever heard of Yellow porities.

Update:
Maybe like this?
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14593&papass=&sort=1&thecat=554

This one?
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=13797&papass=&sort=1&thecat=554

I couldn't find any others, but I did get to look at some sweet acros in the SPS Gallery :D

[skipm]

Actually Mike yellow porites is fairly common, I have had them before and it doesn't quite look like one to me but I can't really make out much detail in the picture. I would agree that it looks like some type of SPS coral but I can't make any guesses as to what kind. Skip

[mhagst1]

I know the picture is a little fuzzy. The digital camera I have has auto-focus, so it's hard to get a clear shot.
I'll bring the couple frags I made next meeting.

[minfinger]

You should be able to turn off the auto-focus...Try usign a tri-pod too. Can you get a closer picture. If you turn off you return pump, take a picture from above if the water surface isn't moving.

Skip...Yeah I knwo it's common, what I meant to say was: I've only ever heard of Yellow Porities

[skipm]

I see Mike, I misunderstood your meaning. BTW. post quick.....you have 666 posts!!!!!! Skip

[oceanarus]

I agree with the porites, yet it does look like it could be hydnophora from the shape.

BTW, who are you ordering from that throws in freebee corals?

[mhagst1]

Here's another picture of it. I still couldn't turn off the auto-focus, but I took it at a higher resolution and then cropped it down so it would be under 50kb.

The order came from Marine Depot, but the freebie made up for their other mistakes. They gave me a Derasa clam instead of a Squamosa, and one of the cleaner shrimp arrived dead.

Matt

[mhagst1]

Also, I know its not yellow porites because I had some arrive in the same shipment and they look like this.

[minfinger]

Hmm...I so wish I didn't have to change that.. :D Unlike Troy, I will continue to post ;)

Great pictures...never seen a hydnophora to tell the difference.

[oceanarus]

Alright, with the new closer pic I am now thinking motipora digiata. The shape, thickness of the brances and the growth tips leads me to believe this. Never seen one where the polyps were not that prominant though. How long have you had it. If it is what I am thinking then it should get a lot fuzzier.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/522/22307IM000827a.jpg
In this picture you can see one of mine (a lot smaller than yours) right behind the leather.



http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/521/22307IM000632a1.jpg
And here is another frag right above the clownfish. This picture was taken about 7 months ago and it is about 4 times that size now.

[mhagst1]

Your right about the thickness and shape of the branches. I've had it for about 4 days now, so it might just need some time for the polyps to fully extend.

Thanks everyone for the input,
Matt

[Simbo18]

It's gotta be a monti, I had one like that and the guy gave it to me with that name, it seems right to me. From all the pictures I have seen of encrusting montis, it is one. But of course I could be wrong. I doubt it's porties because the ends of porties growth are usually ball shaped, when yours are not.

Luke