Coral Identification

[rghunt]

Hello all
I am new to this site and I am wondering how do I go about posting a picture to the forums and get some help identifying a coral that I have.

Thank you all in advance

rhunt

Ok here is the pic

 

[CarlaW]

Looks like a bubble to me.

Welcome to RF.

 

[rghunt]

Thanks charlie,
Do you think that I need to cut off the dead part to the left or should I just leave it alone? Does it look healthy to you? What should I feed it? Can you point me to a site(page) on the net that can answer these kinds of questions.

Thank you again

 

[CarlaW]

Try this-
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/301-400/Species pages/305.htm

Not familiar with feeding, sorry.

 

[rghunt]

Thanks again Charlie
One last question...would that be considered a softie?

Rich

 

[CarlaW]

Nope, it is most definitly a stony.

 

[steve-s]

Looks like a very badly bleached Euphyllia paranchora. You do not need to remove any of the skelaton unless there's necrosis. What you should do is get it off it's side and stand it up. Any part of the crown that touch's rough surfaces can/will recede and possible necrose. I would also suggest you move it much lower in your tank.

How long have you had this coral?
What lights do you have?
How deep is your tank?
What are your water quality numbers?
What is you water chemistry?
Do you use carbon, ozone or other water clarifiers?

For future, please try to avoid purchasing any animal you do not know how to care for. Fish, invert or otherwise. One book I would highly recommend is ....
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/books.php?product_ID=lit-acors

Check with your LFS or online book stores.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Brenden]

I agree with Steve. Looks like a branching hammer in very rough shape.

 

[rghunt]

Doh!
Thanks Steve for pointing out that I have it on the side.
I've since moved it down to the bottom of the tank standing up in the sand.
Water quality
ph:8.0
am:0
ni:.2
na:0
sa:1.021(1.022) between
temp:between 79.7 and 80.7
Equipment
CPR BacPac
Magnum 350 filter with carbon filter in
Working on getting rid of a bout of cyano with 10-15% water changes every couple of days for now. Using a baster to blast it before siphoning off.
Lighting
2x96watt 10k bulbs (pc)
2 actinic bulbs(pc)
tank standard 29 gallon acrylic show tank (30 x 12 x 18in.)
have had the coral for about 2 months now

Thanks everyone for helping me identify this coral.

Richard

 

[Boomer]

Based on the dead hard skelton in the pic it is a Euphyilla. I see no leafyness to the septa, a common triat in Plero's

 

[steve-s]

ph:8.0
ni:.2
sa:1.021(1.022) between

2x96watt 10k bulbs (pc)
2 actinic bulbs(pc)
tank standard 29 gallon acrylic show tank (30 x 12 x 18in.)
have had the coral for about 2 months now

What time of day was the pH reading from? 8.0 is a little on the low side. Is this a newer set up? Nitrite should be undetectable. I would have your test kit verified for accuracey. If it isn't zero, step up the water chnages and figure out why the level is present. Usually overfeeding and/or dirty filters, excessive stock levels.

The salinity level for invertebrates in general is far too low. I would suggest for the next while you top off the tank with SW mixed to 1.025 SG (preferably 35 ppt salinity). Allowing the water to evaporate naturally and topping of with SW will allow a gradual shift upward that will not shock the inhabitants. Do not try to increase the salinity more than 0.001 daily if at all possible. Your goal being 1.025 SG (or 35 ppt salinity).

With the lights you have over a 29, keep this coral near the bottom. It will not appreciate an abundance of direct high light.

Cheers
Steve

 

[rghunt]

Steve,
I had the na and ni backwards sorry...I can't remember what time the readings where...I did the test last week...I need to run another test this week. I have since moved it down to the bottom of the tank and am going to take your advice of raising my sa.

I still can't be completely sure where it is a hammer coral or a bubble. Put I at least have a better idea. I will have to keep an eye on it for now

Thanks for all the help.

Richard

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Richard... welcome to RF, mate. Please know that we have extensive archives (images and threads) to help you. The site owners made a great effort in fact to secure images of corals and fishes from some of the worlds foremost authorities (see the gallery button atop the page).

Also... I am concerned for your success and the lives of the animals in your care if you buy a coral without knowing what it is, what it eats, if you can feed it... or even having the skills to know if its a soft or stony coral. Please take this advice if none other my friend... spend your next dollars on some good books rather than another coral. Please, my friend. It is critical for you success (saving money and corals/fishes lives).

See the sticky atop my forum here called "Fav links..." with post entries for recommended books, URLs, articles, threads, etc.

enjoy the journey!