ID of coral and quick excited rant.

[Sebae again]

Well done.Good job of saving it.

[silentcivilian]

Ya, im stoked... now for it to grow in and see what it really is...

[Leah]

Very cool! Neat to hear of people getting hitchhikers, that are actually something good.

[Zoaelite]

It's not cyphastrea or goniopora I would say its either a species of Oculinidae (Galaxea Coral) or Siderastreidae.

Leaning more towards Oculinidae as the coral seems to be growing in a Plocoid pattern over Siderastreidae's cerioid growth form. The presence of long sweeper tentacles strengthens this ID but I'm excited to see it color up for you!
Levi

***edit more specifically the species would be Galaxea fascicularis or Galaxea astreata

[lorenz0]

^^^
ya that was my second guess. personally i haven't seen to many dead skeletons. I know kody and i are still waiting on the outcome. either way its looking alot bettert han when he originally picked it up

[Joe Reefer]

That is definitely a Galaxy Coral.

[silentcivilian]

Sooo... what we are agreeing is:

In the wild, Galaxy Coral G. fascicularis colonies grow up to 3.3 feet (1 m) across. In captivity, It is usually ball or dome shaped and can have irregular edges. Another formation is short with wide branches. G. fascicularis generally are green, brown, and red, but can be a mix of these colors, most often with white tips. This coral has clear to translucent sweeper tentacles. The polyps range in size, up to 6mm in diameter, and tentacles are often extended during the day. Long sweeper tentacles, up to 12" (30 cm), come out at night.


The G. fascicularis is not on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The following species from this genus are on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species:

G. acrhelia: Vulnerable (VU)
G. astreata: Vulnerable (VU)
G. cryptoramosa: Vulnerable (VU)
G. fascicularis: Near Threatened (NT)
G. horrescens: Least Concern (LC)
G. longisepta: Near Threatened (NT)
G. paucisepta: Near Threatened (NT)

The Galaxea genus can be moderate to easy to care for, especially if they are aquacultured specimens. Due to their delicate skeleton, specimens that are imported can suffer a lot of damage which can lead to infection. However imported corals have many commensal creatures that live between the polyps such as crabs, mussels, sponges, and shrimp. It is actually quite a privilege to acquire a Galaxy Coral with these creatures.

Provide the Galaxy Coral with good light and a low to moderate water movement. Coral skeletons are its substrate of choice as it will encrust these. It can extend very long sweeper tentacles, over 12" (30 cm) in length, that pack a pretty strong sting. Keeping a low water flow will help minimize the length of these. Keeping it fed is also a good way of keep them from "searching for food" with those little stingers. Provide an abundant amount of space between it and other corals to prevent its sweeper tentacles from damaging them, and for its own growth needs.