algae id

[mfinn]

I was wondering if anyone can id this algae that is growing around my lunars.
If it is a algae.
It's a little more red in color than the picture shows.
Very short, maybe 1/4" tall. Seems to be growing outward rather than upward. And very slow growing compared to most algaes.

 

[returnofsid]

Hmmm, from the Macro pic, it doesn't look at all like an algae, but like a coral. Any chance of a pic that's not so close up, maybe a lil brighter and focused on the growth?

Is there any chance that it's a type of star polyp or maybe a Galaxea? 1/4" tall and redish doesn't sound like a star polyp, but it could be. Are you seeing any polyp pattern of 8 or 12?

 

[mfinn]

I'll get the picture taking rack out and mount it a little better.
This frag came from Jamie Hills tank, so it could be a coral.



back in a while with other pics.

 

[mfinn]

my camera skills are going into the toilet lately.

Anyway here are a couple others.
The red on the first one is pretty close.
I did notice some bright green at the base.

 

[returnofsid]

What? Those are great pics!!

Definitely a coral. You can see the polyp formation in the both pictures. What kind of coral is the question. My guess would be some type of Galaxea coral. If so, I'd recommend getting it away from the Zoanthids. Galaxea pack a powerful sting.

 

[abushr]

It doesn't look like algae....looks like a coral to me....can't wait till someone ID's it. I'm curious. Is it something you can remove and move to a different location?

 

[mfinn]

I now know that it isn't algae, but a lps of some kind.
I just never had the piece turned with this side to the front. I only saw what was growing up over the top.
Here is a picture of the polyps mostly retracted.

Any ideas od what lps?

 

[mfinn]

What? Those are great pics!!

Definitely a coral. You can see the polyp formation in the both pictures. What kind of coral is the question. My guess would be some type of Galaxea coral. If so, I'd recommend getting it away from the Zoanthids. Galaxea pack a powerful sting.

didn't see this post before I put up the new picture.
The zoanthids have been pretty unhappy for a while.
Guess the easiest would be to try and frag off the lunars.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Does look a lot like green galaxea

 

[blk822822]

Sweet find, I just find algae, the real stuff.Cool.

 

[returnofsid]

Does look a lot like green galaxea

Sure does, but Finn's pictures are better!! lol

The presence of the Galaxea, if that's what it is, would explain why the Lunars haevn't been very happy. How difficult will it be to separate the two?

 

[mfinn]

Sure does, but Finn's pictures are better!! lol

The presence of the Galaxea, if that's what it is, would explain why the Lunars haevn't been very happy. How difficult will it be to separate the two?

It's gonna be hard and I fear several won't make it.
The whole thing is about the diameter of my little finger and maybe 3/4" tall.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

If you want I will take the combo, remove the lunar hitchikers and return your galaxea

 

[mfinn]

If you want I will take the combo, remove the lunar hitchikers and return your galaxea

I want the lunars.
They are special.:lol:

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

You notice any sweepers off of it? galaxea get some pretty friggin' long ones.

 

[returnofsid]

You notice any sweepers off of it? galaxea get some pretty friggin' long ones.

Shawn's absolutely right!! We had a Galaxea that wiped out a HUGE and BEAUTIFUL Pocillopora colony, over night!! The Galaxea and Pocillopora were several inches apart. The Galaxea literally ATE a portion of the Pocillopora.

 

[saltwaterfishes]

I can frag or cut off galaxea for you....no guarantees that galaxea will be in one piece. I had a large galaxea colony that was stinging everything around it.

 

[abushr]

If you don't like the galaxia, maybe you could kill it off without damaging your lunars....good luck!

 

[mfinn]

I'm going to take the chisel to it today.
My goal will be to save the lunars first, Galaxea second.
I'll save both if I can.

 

[mfinn]

OK, now that I know I don't have some mutant algae, I did some fragging today and here is the results.