Random directional coral growth? I.D.

[Glenner’sreef]

I bought what I thought was a “silver dollar” size plating monti. In the past 6 months, it’s got plates that extend both vertically and horizontally. I’m curious as to whether or not this particular coral has its own classification? Encrusting, Plating, Branching, etc. I’m diggin the crazy growth patterns but would like to know more about this coral. Any insight or experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fish_are_stoopid]

Is it an undata or palawanensis

 

[CBonito]

Love the purple. How many times a day do you obsess on keeping sand off it? It really gets on my nerves.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Is it an undata or palawanensis

Good try on both, a couple varieties were close but none showed the growth patterns. Reading the specs on these corals, neither spoke of odd growth patterns. Thanks though.

 

[Fish_are_stoopid]

Spongodes will branch and plate but the skeletal structure to me looks diff. Spongodes I've always seen w heavy visible polyps.

 

[ptrahan]

This is a plating monti. It likes to encrust also. I think flow and/or lighting influence growth patterns.

 

[Fish_are_stoopid]

Staghorns also do both, but completely different structure than yours from the ones I've seen

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Love the purple. How many times a day do you obsess on keeping sand off it? It really gets on my nerves.

Thanks. No sand on coral issues at all. “Had” a Sand sifting Goby years ago. It took me 3 days to catch it. Sand was everywhere. Put an end to that. Much like your former crab lol.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Staghorns also do both, but completely different structure than yours from the ones I've seen

True, On mine the vertical plates on the left side are towering straight up into the water column. Not encrusting to what’s behind it.

 

[CBonito]

Thanks. No sand on coral issues at all. “Had” a Sand sifting Goby years ago. It took me 3 days to catch it. Sand was everywhere. Put an end to that. Much like your former crab lol.

hahaha yup. I was just checking out the carcass.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

This is a plating monti. It likes to encrust also. I think flow and/or lighting influence growth patterns.

Wow getting close. The surface of the monti in your picture has a much smoother texture than the one in my tank. Yours also appears to be attaching itself to the wall.