What in Neptune's World?

[GSchiemer]

wow, you guessed Symphyllia agaricia from that picture? 8O you got skills.

Gee, thanks. If you dismiss the coloration, which is atypical, and concentrate on the underlying skeleton, which is partially visible at the base, then it's clear that its Symphyllia or Lobophyllia. It was difficult to determine from the picture whether there were distinct lobes or not. If there aren't lobes, then it's Symphyllia. I mentioned Scolymia as well because I had no reference for size and Terry mentioned that it grew from a broken or damaged colony. Scolymia is typically round or oval in shape but could be irregular if it had been previously damaged. In addition, only one "mouth" is visible to me in the picture, which is a characteristic of Scolymia.

So now what do I win?

Greg

 

[leftovers]

Solenastrea hyades (why not....everyone else is tossing in the bizarro guesses)

If again we had either additional or better pics would help tremendously as it looks like a sponge or tunicate....

 

[GSchiemer]

Solenastrea hyades (why not....everyone else is tossing in the bizarro guesses)

If again we had either additional or better pics would help tremendously as it looks like a sponge or tunicate....

Terry already stated:

It definitely belongs to the Mussidae family, and is probably, as you suspected, Symphyllia agaricia.

so it's not "Solenastrea."

 

[leftovers]

Terry already stated:

It definitely belongs to the Mussidae family, and is probably, as you suspected, Symphyllia agaricia.

so it's not "Solenastrea."

until its been scientifically analyzed it would seem it could be anything i want it to be ...and it in no way resemples symphyllia from that pic....if its the result of low light then wouldnt it behove the owner to slowly increase the to restore the coral to its full luster and normal appearance?

 

[GSchiemer]

Terry already stated:

It definitely belongs to the Mussidae family, and is probably, as you suspected, Symphyllia agaricia.

so it's not "Solenastrea."

until its been scientifically analyzed it would seem it could be anything i want it to be ...and it in no way resemples symphyllia from that pic....if its the result of low light then wouldnt it behove the owner to slowly increase the to restore the coral to its full luster and normal appearance?

I don't think Morgan Lidster (owner of the coral in question) at Inland Aquatics needs your advice on maintaining corals. IMO, he can literally write a book on the topic.

 

[Anonymous]

Even the best people make mistakes...Besides anyone can write a book...Dont get me wrong Im not saying Morgan Lidster doesnt know what he is doing, Lets just not jump to conclusions and start bashing on eachother for the correct or incorrect guesses...Last time i checked this coral has NOT been 100% ID'd...

 

[John_Brandt]

Symphyllia, huh? Well okay. I couldn't grasp that one without the meandering valleys and walls between the polyps. It seems to be an atypical form here. But I'm no stranger to weird variations. Terry rarely posts slam-dunks...otherwise it wouldn't be mysterious. I bet I even saw that coral at Morgan's place when I was there last month :wink:

Next time I'm leaving the paranormal lucky charms out of it.

PS: When I saw Terry at IMAC he was contemplating whether to visit Inland Aquatics after the conference. I told him he would not regret it. I'm glad to see he made it.

 

[Mouse]

I think the whole "ID this coral" is a bit of a smoke signal, as i think its an octopus!!! 8O

 

[nice1bruva]

I think the whole "ID this coral" is a bit of a smoke signal, as i think its an octopus!!! 8O

that was my first thought before i read the question"what coral is this"

 

[Fastmarc]

well, now I know how much of a novice I am. That coral doesn't resemble the example posted by Daisypolyp to me at all.

 

[Anonymous]

Im having trouble seeing how one can even identify it being in the Mussidae family...Im missing something here..ive looked through some of my books specifically for things in the Mussidae famalia?

 

[Anonymous]

Due to the excess flesh hanging over the skeleton I would guess cynaria or scolymia.

 

[Anonymous]

Ive been looking at cynaria...thats what i would think it is if it is in fact in the Mussidae family

 

[elpescado]

I was going to stay out of this one, but the tension is to much to bare.
I would tend not to say Scolimia as even if it were a damaged/healing specimen the underlying coralite would be extremely cerated, which it does not look like it from the edge of the coral.
Looking at the coral closely and abstractly (ever look at those wierd 3D posters?), I would tend to go along with Terry on this one and say Symphyllia. If you look closely you can see a meandroid appearance (valleys and all). If you look at the bottom of the photo you can see the outer raised ridges and a valley inbetween. I have converted the photo to grey scale and drew lines where there appear to faint valleys (this is a best guess of course).

[/img]http://ecologicalreef.com/mysterygreyscale.jpg

If the photo doesn't come thru take a look at the following URL:

[url=http://ecologicalreef.com/mysterygreyscale.jpg]http://ecologicalreef.com/mysterygreyscale.jpg[/url]

What ever it is, it is REALLY cool, but absolutely BUTT UGLY!
Maybe it looks better in person.

 

[DaisyPolyp]

Nobody sees encrusting coral here?