Needing help with coral ID...

[deuce11705]

Today, as I was walking along the beach, I saw this brilliant little coral laying there. It looked as though it had a base with root-looking stems on it. Do you know yet where I'm going with this? Ok, I may not be the brightest crayon in the box for putting it in my tank, but was wondering what it is exactly. My orange linkia is on it in the pic. Funny thing is that he hasn't moved off of the LR until after I put the new coral in. Sorry for the blurry pic. The coral is a deep green and has what appears to be fuzz all over it except for the ends of the branches. The branches are about 1/4 inch thick. Any ID help or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[djconn]

Where are you located? Yes, you are brave for throwing that thing in your tank.

 

[deuce11705]

I'm in NC, near Topsail Island...

 

[deuce11705]

I have been doing some looking around for different corals to maybe one day add to my tank, when I came across a pic of something that looks like what I have. It is a Green Lace Gorgonian. Could this be what I have? I found the pic on the LiveAquaria site thru Drs. Foster & Smith.

 

[deuce11705]

One more thing, which makes me unsure if that is what it is, is that LiveAquaria stated that the branches are flat and blade-like, but the pic doesn't look that way, and the coral that I have has round branches, not flat. Thanks again!

 

[djconn]

I'd say its some variety of Gorgonian but its hard to tell from the pic.

 

[incysor]

The pic makes it pretty difficult to compare to other images on the web.

Perhaps, Oculina arbuscula, or Aplysina fulva. Although I don't really think it's either one of these. I'd try over on RC, maybe someone will have a better idea.

B

 

[deuce11705]

Here are a few more pics. Hopefully they are of better quality. BTW, what is RC?

 

[incysor]

RC = Reefcentral

The pics are still out of focus which makes it difficult to see the texture of the surface. The color and general shape is more obvious though.

Are all the branches coming out of one central base? With it buried in the sandbed it's hard to tell if all the branches come together, or all attach seperately to a piece of rock or what.

B

 

[deuce11705]

Yes, all the branches come together. It's formed like a little tree with a main trunk and branches extending outward. The texture is smooth. Though it does appear to have very, very tiny pores. It is a soft, yet firm, specimen.

 

[deuce11705]

There are also little hairs? all over it except for the end of the branches. The hair is similar to velvet on deer antlers.