Identifying Corals

[NaH2O]

I was told recently that I go about identifying corals incorrectly, and when I asked the correct way, I did not receive an answer. I would love to talk about coral identification, and if the exact species is really that pertinent. How do you go about identifying a coral, and what is the proper way? Is a correct ID possible when not presented with a skeleton? Are we merely making guesses as to what a coral is.....especially when purchasing frags. How can we be sure the coral we are buying is truely X Genus Y species.

To become more confusing....I found this statement from JEN Veron about reef aquaria:

The identification of aquarium-raised corals is a difficult and sometimes impossible task. Over time, most coral colonies become unnaturally colourful due to the accumulation of zooxanthellae in their tissues in response to low levels of photosynthetic light. They also assume growth-forms which are sometimes seen in the wild, but ususally only in deep water that may be unusual for the species. The most common growth-form abnormalities are increases in the amount of soft tissue (especially in free-living fungiids and mussids) and unusual development of corallites, such as on one side of branches of Acropora.

So, should we be satisified with only Genus of a coral (or in some cases Family)? Would knowing the species matter in regards to care?

What are your thoughts....

 

[bradreef]

get on a plane and come to Wa. you can ask Eric about coral identification tonight. sorry had to rub it in.

 

[CarlaW]

I myself like to know what is what, but really, it is not that important. I think the more that we buy frags and such, these corals seem to adapt differently to our own little glass boxes, becoming nothing like what they were in nature. JMHO

 

[mojoreef]

Yep that is exactly right, it is virtually impossible to nail down exact id's. Corals will adapt to their current enviroment and changed the structure, zoox, population, pigment contents and so on all based of what kind of energy they are facing, what kind of light, competition and so on.
when using a microscope you have a chance when looking at the skeletal weaving, but its still a crap shoot. Of coarse soft corals will be the easiest, then lps but sps can be tough. I think when looking for an ID to research natural enviroments so you can tell size, shape and so on, it would be best to stick with family unless you are sure.


MIke

 

[wrightme43]

or just put maybe in front of every thing. LOL
It may be a ____________ acropora. LOL Steve

 

[EricHugo]

Dudes, unless the species is very obvious - like Acropora palmata, Catalaphyllia, A. florida, Trachyphyllia, etc., just don't even try it. ESPECIALLY with Acropora, Montipora, faviids, and Porites. I'm going to do a taxonomy workshop at this year's MACNA I think (so have been asked) - and we can do a rundown on the methods here, but long and short of it is when someone tells me they have an Acropora whateverensis I just roll my eyes.

I mentioned to someone while I was up there, that there is a really nice little pocket guide to field ID of living Acropora to the sub-genus group. it costs about five dollars, and proceeds go to charity. Its called Acropora staghorn corals: A "getting to know you" and identification guide published by OceanNEnvironment (www oceannenvironment.com.au. Its the best quick guide outside being a geek with Wallace's big book or Veron.

A lot of hobbyists think that by saying or thinking they know the species they sound cool, but to anyone who knows how hard it is to ID corals, much less living and small aquarium corals where are the diagnostic features are covered in tissue, it just shows foolishness. Case in major point - mail order coral vendors. What a joke!

 

[CarlaW]

Eric,
It's good to see you on Reef Frontiers, we are glad to have you aboard

 

[Scooterman]

sp has always been difficult for me to say what it actually is; even with a book in front of me I can't distinguish them apart unless as mentioned it is very obvious

 

[Boomer]

Nikki

I see Eric has been here already. A few months back on RC I kinda talked Eric into doing a class on RC on ID coral. You can go there and see what he strated, it was a nice intro.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=366161

 

[mojoreef]

Fuzzy Sticks Baby Fuzzy sticks

Mike

 

[NaH2O]

Thanks for the input everyone. Boomer, I forgot about that thread, I'll have to go back and read through it. I am just starting to get into Veron's books, so hopefully, I'll gain some knowledge there, too.

Its the best quick guide outside being a geek with Wallace's big book or Veron.

Ssshhhhh - I'm trying to hide my geekiness. My Veron books are new, and haven't been used very much yet, I swear. Santa brought them for me. Oh no....that sounds like I'm even more of a geek. I received them for Christmas!

 

[Shoreliner11]

Don't worry I'll be the first to back you up on the geekiness. I have Veron's Corals of the World and I think its amazing. I do find it difficult to identify most species but I enjoy just looking at whats out there that I've never seen before even more.

 

[CarlaW]

Nikki, I've got the same set, but I have alot of trouble getting past the first book. Believe me, you will enjoy this set. It has helped me figure out where to place whatever I look up. I'm not gonna get into the names, that's another thread!!!

 

[Alice]

Taxonomy's a *itch.

Many of the soft "corals" aren't that easy, either.