Acan or Micromussa...Can you tell?

[mike1962]

Hi All,

I purchased this from an LFS a couple months ago. They told me it was a Micromussa, but the main polyp is so large across now (almost 3") I can't imagine it being a Micromussa. I put a similar post on the RC LPS forum, but haven't yet got a solid response as to what it is. Some there suggested it was a Micromussa, others said Acan, and a couple of other guesses as well. So locals, or anyone reading this thread, can you ID it? Perhaps I should be asking what the key differences are between a Micromussa and an Acan. Here are the pics:

Main polyp


Smaller polyp attached to the side of the larger one

[Underwaterparadise]

I would say acan lord based on the size and texture of the flesh. Most Micro's tend to have smoother flesh and IME never inflate more then 1". But without a skeleton shot we are all just guessing. It does look as though the flesh is extending 2-3 times the size of the coralite skeleton in your pics.

Peace
Rob

[bookfish]

Could be a bowerbanki.
Here's a pic of mine

and another

[mike1962]

Thanks guys!

Rob, this thing can really inflate, and others have suggested an Acan Lord as well. Just curious, is the only way to truly tell the difference between a Micro and and Acan is by the coralite skeleton?

[kevin95695]

I believe skeletons are the only true way to define.

[bookfish]

Very true, it's all just conjecture w/ o a skeletal examination and I'm not bleaching my coral!

[mike1962]

Ok, good to know! Thanks guys! I'm with you bookfish, no bleaching my coral to find out!

[mothra]

Looks like a scolymia to me.

[mike1962]

Yep, some people are making the suggestion that it is a scolymia in my other post in the LPS forum. It's a tough call, and I guess without actually killing it to look at the coralite skeleton I may never actually know. At this point I think I'll just continue to enjoy it in my tank.