Show me your prized coral - the one frag or colony you love the most

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Every reefer who keeps coral has a favorite coral or coral species. Some of us are lucky enough to actually own a piece of one of our favorites.

In my case, this is my favorite coral i own, right here.

I acquired this as only four or five polyps and over the years and through multiple tanks, has grown into this stunning colony – it is my favorite coral in my tank.

I want to see your prize coral - the one you love the most in your current reef tank.

 

[Hrosik123]

Beautiful colony. My favorite is this torch. Besides being the first one I was able to keep alive it’s been growing. 2 heads when I got it now has 3 and it’s big. Love the motion it adds to the tank.

 

[JoJosReef]

Every reefer who keeps coral has a favorite coral or coral species. Some of us are lucky enough to actually own a piece of one of our favorites.

In my case, this is my favorite coral i own, right here.

I acquired this as only four or five polyps and over the years and through multiple tanks, has grown into this stunning colony – it is my favorite coral in my tank.

I want to see your prize coral - the one you love the most in your current reef tank.

Is that a moon coral? I absolutely love its domed form. Reminds me of snorkeling in the reefs!

 

[JoJosReef]

Hard to pick a favorite, but lately I've been adoring my pectinia, bottom left corner.

 

[VintageReefer]

My banana grail torch. I wanted one for many many years. Then my tank went through a decline for a while because I lost motivation, life had some changes, etc.

One day, I decided…it’s time to rebuild. Once the tank was ready, I decided to finally purchase the coral I’ve wanted for almost a decade - a banana grail. Two reasons - 1) I’ve always wanted one and now had the means to get it. 2) a fail safe. With this in my tank, I would not let anything happen to the tank again.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Is that a moon coral? I absolutely love its domed form. Reminds me of snorkeling in the reefs!

I am honestly not sure - I know it came out of Australia, and it has been IDed as a a type of acanthastrea coral, Acanthastrea Echinata, even a favia, but none of them fit perfectly.

The dome shape is one of the reason I like it so much. it's not hollow inside - its basically a solid core and is growing outwards. it has some serious heft and weight to it - at least it did that last time I picked it up, when it was 3/4 of its current size

This is that same colony from about 4 years ago

 

[Reefer Matt]

This Disney colony is really coming into its own now. It took over three years to get to this point, but I really enjoy it. I never want to frag it.

 

[VintageReefer]

I am honestly not sure - I know it came out of Australia, and it has been IDed as a a type of acanthastrea coral, Acanthastrea Echinata, even a favia, but none of them fit perfectly.

The dome shape is one of the reason I like it so much. it's not hollow inside - its basically a solid core and is growing outwards. it has some serious heft and weight to it - at least it did that last time I picked it up, when it was 3/4 of its current size

This is that same colony from about 4 years ago

My guess, and please look into this to confirm, is “fluted moon coral”

Colors aside, does it look like this ? It’s not a commonly found coral. Mine is from Australia also and when I saw yours it immediatly jumped out to me as fluted moon. Mines color shifted a few times as it adapted to my tank and lighting and grows in a dome shape with a solid core

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

 

[Uncle99]

Was 1 1” frag 2 years ago.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

My guess, and please look into this to confirm, is “fluted moon coral”

Colors aside, does it look like this ? It’s not a commonly found coral. Mine is from Australia also and when I saw yours it immediatly jumped out to me as fluted moon. Mines color shifted a few times as it adapted to my tank and lighting and grows in a dome shape with a solid core

The shape of the polyps in your photos is very similar, if not identical to what mine looked like when I got it. I think you're on to something .

THe coloration off mine is what initial caught my eye, and it has not color shifted since i got it

I'll do some addition research on Moon Corals

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Really digin' that coral - favia, or something else?

 

[Lavey29]

I like the green acro in the back because of the way it has encrusted on the back wall coupled with the way it grafted with the orange setosa.

 

[14 foot reef]

My Tricolor Acro - Its tabling out at about 16" around

 

[JoJosReef]

My Tricolor Acro - Its tabling out at about 16" around

 

[VintageReefer]

How am I supposed to pick?!?!?? Ahhhhh!!!!!

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

How am I supposed to pick?!?!?? Ahhhhh!!!!!

Yeah, I don't know if i could pick just one of those either - LOL

 

[VintageReefer]

 

[Marinebionerd]

I am honestly not sure - I know it came out of Australia, and it has been IDed as a a type of acanthastrea coral, Acanthastrea Echinata, even a favia, but none of them fit perfectly.

The dome shape is one of the reason I like it so much. it's not hollow inside - its basically a solid core and is growing outwards. it has some serious heft and weight to it - at least it did that last time I picked it up, when it was 3/4 of its current size

This is that same colony from about 4 years ago

My guess would be dipsastraea. very cool coral!

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

My guess would be dipsastraea. very cool coral!

Just looked that up, and that species looks super close too.

Other than cutting off a polyp or two and inspecting the skeleton, what are some other ways to get a positive ID on a coral?