Bought as Micromussa, not convinced at all
 

Hi All,

Bought this at an LFS, they claimed it was a Micromussa, but after getting it home and watching it grow, I am not convinced at all. At nearly 3" across, it just can't be a Micromussa. That said, I can't quite ID it. Anyone?


Main Polyp
[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/2145701530_d134607e99_o.jpg[/IMG]


Smaller Polyp attached at side
[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2144909503_8135180d6f_o.jpg[/IMG]

It's pretty, what is it's actual polyp size? A single polyp is 3" across?

Yep the polyp is 3" across. I like it as well!

I would like to get in line if/when you get ready to frag it! For sure not a micro though. I have a green and orange acan with very large polyps I think it is a hillae?

I should mention that the main polyp is "about" 3" across when fully open, as seen in the above pic

Well, if you decide to frag it I would love a piece. Maybe we could trade frags.

I'll keep you in mind Sherm71tank. It really is a beauty and really shines in my small tank.

I have had a few micros that get close to that big. One for example looks sorta like yours. It's called love n hate micro I believe.

Sounds good. Nice score btw! I've got a nice assortment of zoos, neon leathers, acans etc. Let me know if the time comes for you to frag it (which I hope it does!). You'll have to update in a couple months with new pics!

Looks kind of like a Cynaria, but if it has baby polyps then it is some type of Acan Lord???

While you can't tell from the pics. The second pic is a slightly smaller polyp and is attached to the first on one side. If you look at the upper left side of the first pic you can see where they are attached.

I just realized I should've posted this under the ID section. Sorry about that everyone!

Next time you're fired!

Sure looks like a acan lord to me also. Very nice one too.

What about a small scolymia?

I was thinking Scoly too..

Matthew

Hmmm...Now I am thrown. I've seen some pics of Scolymia's and indeed some of them look like they could be what I have...but then I wonder if they are being correctly ID'd. I can see that unless we are able to look at the coralite skeleton, ID'ing this coral correctly may not happen.

Well, at least it is doing well in my tank and looking beautiful!

Yeah, check out the "Show me your Crazy Scolymia!" thread. Quite a few look like that coral of yours.

Matthew

I am leaning towards a small scolymia australis. Can you show us a pic of the coral with the polyp retracted? an angle on the underside would help too. If there is a conical base then it is most definitely not a lord or micro.

Coralite, I'm not actually at home at the moment, so the pic will have to wait. That said, I think it does have a conical shaped base. It appears to me when the polyp is retracted that it goes quite deep into the base. The base that it resides in is probably 1 to 1.5 inches deep. The second polyp that is growing on the side seems to be developing a base for itself? In the last few weeks there is a white material developing behind the newer polyp, and it almost looks to be a sponge, but I don't think so, I think it is developing its base. I will take pics of the polyp retracted and the white base behind the newer polyp. This is good stuff, seems we may be getting somewhere!

I'm leaning more strongly to Scoly now, but I'll withhold judgement pending pics & more info.

Matthew

Looks like an acan to me.

acans in general look like scolys, but really doubt your piece is a scolymia:D
with a second polyp right next to it? ;)
How many polyps all together mike?

It could just simply be panning out for more light and would explain its large oral disk. Acan or micro, it is nice.

-Justin

Hi Justin,

I just got back from the Bay Area tonight, so no new pics to post yet. It only has 2 polyps. The one large one, and then a smaller one that has continued to grow, and now has a white mass behind it which looks like it is building it's base. I will try to get a pic posted tomorrow of the base, and the polyps as they are retracted, and a pic showing both polpys. :)

More Pics
 

Here are some more pics from different angles. I did move it around a bit to try to get the polyps to retract a bit, but didn't want to upset it too much. Now that I see the white behind the smaller polyp I'm note sure that is a base buildup, it looks like it could be a sponge.

Backside view
[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2160747808_068d0d6fe0_o.jpg[/IMG]

Backside of smaller polyp
[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2202/2160747702_9ce10f7dc5_o.jpg[/IMG]

Front retracted a bit
[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2347/2160747928_e1eba49a2a_o.jpg[/IMG]

Angled view showing both polps
[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2160748046_c7a4174603_o.jpg[/IMG]

That base buildup is the hallmark of a scolymia, which can occasionally get two or more polyps.