Distinguishing types of SPS

[Nandez13]

People are constantly requesting help on identifying what kind of SPS coral they have. I often wonder about a few of my pieces as well. In the couple years I've been in the hobby, I think I can accurately distinguish the majority of corals that are kept in the hobby but will get stuck a little on SPS specifically. I think their difficulty to keep plays a role in this. Many times I will see SPS corals with little color or little polyp extension because the corals are not in an ideal tank nor kept under the right parameters. This makes them even harder to identify. Then you have SPS with disfigured branches because they're recovering after being fragged. Or they're simply too small to get a good idea of what the SPS is. The list goes on

Anyway, what am I getting at? Does anyone have a good resource for distinguishing types of SPS? I don't mean acropora vs stylophora. I mean more along the lines of acro millepora vs acro tenius vs acro valida; focusing more on their structure, shape, texture, polyp extension not so much color.

There are several coral databases out there with images as examples but they are a bit simplified. Their comparisons are more SPS vs LPS or acro vs monti which is not really what I'm looking for. If nobody has a link then maybe some of the resident SPS experts here can weigh in. If you have some nice large colonies in your tank that can be of help, post some photos!

 

[Cu455]

There is a series of books write by Vernon. Corals of the World, Corals of Australia, etc. Julian Sprung also has a similar book.

 

[Rob&Gab]

here is a pdf file on the internet.

http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/Library/PRD/Coral/veron_report_2014.pdf

 

[Nandez13]

here is a pdf file on the internet.

http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/Library/PRD/Coral/veron_report_2014.pdf

Thanks, Rob. There is a lot of useful information there on SPS. I haven't finished going through it but it seems to focus more on what regions specific SPS are located in and their abundancy. Still no luck on finding some comparisons.

Nobody wants to show off their colonies??

 

[Sharkbait420]

Anyway, what am I getting at?

I have no idea. I can't tell if you want a resource in help identifying coral species or you want people to show pictures of their coral. Google is a great resource and even has a image search. You can find good resources and look at pictures. In much of society, research means to investigate something you do not know or understand. Laziness never helped anyone succeed.

I have a bunch of great books on coral taxonomy, several dichotomous keys to identify coral and coral id cards from my dives. The information is out there you just have to do some research yourself. You will learn the value of a little hard work and research by working hard and conducting research.

Great link Rob. It was very informative. I don't think the OP knows what he is looking for.

 

[Nandez13]

I have no idea. I can't tell if you want a resource in help identifying coral species or you want people to show pictures of their coral. Google is a great resource and even has a image search. You can find good resources and look at pictures. In much of society, research means to investigate something you do not know or understand. Laziness never helped anyone succeed.

I have a bunch of great books on coral taxonomy, several dichotomous keys to identify coral and coral id cards from my dives. The information is out there you just have to do some research yourself. You will learn the value of a little hard work and research by working hard and conducting research.

Great link Rob. It was very informative. I don't think the OP knows what he is looking for.

.

 

[Sharkbait420]

 

[duke62]

I'm sure he said some dopey remark. Just put him in your ignore list like I did. A lot easier that way. A lot of people I know have already

 

[Nandez13]

I'm sure he said some dopey remark. Just put him in your ignore list like I did. A lot easier that way. A lot of people I know have already

Just the usual stuff, Duke. Lols, tell me about it, several people have said the same.

 

[cmantis]

I have a book you can take a look at. I actually think most if not all of it is online too. I will have to check the name but you are welcome to take a look.

 

[Nandez13]

I have a book you can take a look at. I actually think most if not all of it is online too. I will have to check the name but you are welcome to take a look.

Thanks, Dave. PM me the link if you have it.

 

[Creeper Reefer420]

Hope this is along the lines of what you where looking for.

http://www.coralsee.org/webcat/fincat.html

 

[jackson6745]

Hope this is along the lines of what you where looking for.

http://www.coralsee.org/webcat/fincat.html

I think you killed every species on that list :help: LMAO!!!

 

[Nandez13]

Hope this is along the lines of what you where looking for.

http://www.coralsee.org/webcat/fincat.html

Great stuff! Thanks a lot for the link.

 

[Creeper Reefer420]

No Problem!