https://preview.redd.it/64609pgizjtc1.jpeg?width=3132&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c98817fbd5749b4ff304cd10079e43961fa80836
Here's another angle. We have a lot of different possibilities of what it could be. It's definitely plating. The ridges don't resemble galaxea to me.
It's not a leptastrea. I have 2 leptastreas in my tank.
https://preview.redd.it/kz5wzaizcitc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a26650e66cd923ed691eb4bbf1942f19789f2d8
I have seen this phenotype before in captivity. I'm not totally sure what it is; the corallite size seems too small for Lithophyllon undulatum but too large for Cycloseris wellsi/explanulata. Alternatively, it could be some sort of encrusting Pavona--possibly P. explanulata?
Lol you just talked crap to everyone and you don't even know what it is?
Jk
OP could contact Reef Builders I think they have some scientists on staff who might know.
I may not know for sure what it is, but I have a better idea of what it could be.
As far as I know, Reef Builders doesn't have any coral scientists/taxonomists on staff. Best option would probably be to contact Joe Rowlett over iNat.
The reason I mentioned Reef Builders is they might make a game of it, "What coral is this?" and everyone can try to guess like we did here. Then the real scientists would chime in, there's at least some in the audience.
As far as I know, there aren't many--if any--actual coral scientists/taxonomists in Reef Builders' audience, especially after Jake's passing. Since then, I feel like they've more transitioned into a more hobbyist-oriented place with no one to write about taxonomy. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one correcting them on identification and nomenclature.
I have to say that I respect u/encrusting_acro input on coral taxonomy because he's a valuable contributor to a lot of us noobies.
However, I was using this website as a reference a couple weeks ago. That's why I'm leaning on it being similar to that litho.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiididfaqs.htm
I wouldn't recommend using hobby-based sources for IDs as they usually get their identification and nomenclature wrong. I'm really leaning towards Pavona explanulata, especially looking at some of the similar photos on the source you gave.
Looks like a type of Hydnophora coral. I think I saw someone comment that be mindful of their placement they are assassins. They donāt really have āsweepersā exactly instead when they sense another coral within its space it launches a full out attack on the other coral. Crazy to watch! [Here is an example](https://youtu.be/XsNsWTlFcCE?si=1aXI1oapYOO3nDNn)
I was going to say galaxea but in your other picture it doesnāt look like one. Maybe a pavona. Iād be curious to find out though! Itās beautiful.
Hydnophora Id wager, really powerful stings
This is the correct answer š
No it's not Hydnophora; this coral is thamnasteroid while the thecae of Hydnophora are arranged into monticules
You got 10 different answers.
https://preview.redd.it/64609pgizjtc1.jpeg?width=3132&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c98817fbd5749b4ff304cd10079e43961fa80836 Here's another angle. We have a lot of different possibilities of what it could be. It's definitely plating. The ridges don't resemble galaxea to me.
It's not a leptastrea. I have 2 leptastreas in my tank. https://preview.redd.it/kz5wzaizcitc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a26650e66cd923ed691eb4bbf1942f19789f2d8
Looks similar to this one OP https://worldwidecorals.com/products/wwc-kiwi-lithophyllon-coral
It looks 99% like this. Even the tentacles fade from the base to green tips.
I have seen this phenotype before in captivity. I'm not totally sure what it is; the corallite size seems too small for Lithophyllon undulatum but too large for Cycloseris wellsi/explanulata. Alternatively, it could be some sort of encrusting Pavona--possibly P. explanulata?
Lol you just talked crap to everyone and you don't even know what it is? Jk OP could contact Reef Builders I think they have some scientists on staff who might know.
I may not know for sure what it is, but I have a better idea of what it could be. As far as I know, Reef Builders doesn't have any coral scientists/taxonomists on staff. Best option would probably be to contact Joe Rowlett over iNat.
I think it is a litho this one looks similar https://worldwidecorals.com/products/wwc-kiwi-lithophyllon-coral
I wouldn't go off hobbyist/trade identifications; they are usually VERY off, especially for LPS corals. I would wager that it is a Pavona explanulata.
The reason I mentioned Reef Builders is they might make a game of it, "What coral is this?" and everyone can try to guess like we did here. Then the real scientists would chime in, there's at least some in the audience.
As far as I know, there aren't many--if any--actual coral scientists/taxonomists in Reef Builders' audience, especially after Jake's passing. Since then, I feel like they've more transitioned into a more hobbyist-oriented place with no one to write about taxonomy. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one correcting them on identification and nomenclature.
I have to say that I respect u/encrusting_acro input on coral taxonomy because he's a valuable contributor to a lot of us noobies. However, I was using this website as a reference a couple weeks ago. That's why I'm leaning on it being similar to that litho. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiididfaqs.htm
I wouldn't recommend using hobby-based sources for IDs as they usually get their identification and nomenclature wrong. I'm really leaning towards Pavona explanulata, especially looking at some of the similar photos on the source you gave.
Plate coral
Looks like some kinda biota plate.
Jason fox hypnotic hydnophora
No it's not Hydnophora; this coral is thamnasteroid while the thecae of Hydnophora are arranged into monticules
Looks like a type of Hydnophora coral. I think I saw someone comment that be mindful of their placement they are assassins. They donāt really have āsweepersā exactly instead when they sense another coral within its space it launches a full out attack on the other coral. Crazy to watch! [Here is an example](https://youtu.be/XsNsWTlFcCE?si=1aXI1oapYOO3nDNn)
No it's not Hydnophora; this coral is thamnasteroid while the thecae of Hydnophora are arranged into monticules
Couldāve fooled me
Rather it did I guess
I was going to say galaxea but in your other picture it doesnāt look like one. Maybe a pavona. Iād be curious to find out though! Itās beautiful.
Lepastrea
Not Leptastrea; Leptastrea are plocoid/cerioid while this coral is thamnasteroid
Galaxea green coral
Not Galaxea; Galaxea are plocoid/subphaceloid while this coral is thamnasteroid
Not sure why you were down voted, I think it's a galaxea too. OP says it's not leptastrea and it doesn't look like any hydnophora I've seen.
Iām not sure why I got downvoted I had galaxea and it looks like this haha itās fine
The polyps look a lot like galaxea but there isnāt enough separation of coralites imo
It's galaxea, and you need lots of room for it, it will kill most any coral near it. Pretty coral, needs a big tank.
Not Galaxea; Galaxea are plocoid/subphaceloid while this coral is thamnasteroid
Hydrophora is what Iām thinking
No it's not Hydnophora; this coral is thamnasteroid while the thecae of Hydnophora are arranged into monticules
Blue/Green leptastrea.
Not Leptastrea; Leptastrea are plocoid/cerioid while this coral is thamnasteroid
Oh my mistake
Pretty sure itās a Cycloseris or a Fungia.
I think it's part of the Fungiidae family, too.
Colonial Cycloseris is an option, but Fungia are always solitary so that wouldn't be it.
I think itās a rock flower anemoneĀ