What do you think?

[Jimnorris]

montipora__________?
Jim

[Jimnorris]

The back is just growing that way????
Jim

[adamRS80]

Hey Jim. I'm pretty sure that is a Montipora. I have one that looks just like that except it's a deep red color with the blue polyps. It was sold to me as a montipora, so thats where I'm getting my info. I bought it from FlyingFishExpress when they were still online. Now they've been incorporated into Liveaquaria.com

[MikeP]

Jim - I have the veron books (the 3 volume) I'll look it up when I get home but it's still no way defnitive. You need to examine the skeleton usually with a good microscope to have a postive iD - even then they seem to be changing the taxonomy frequently.

I did see this when it was at AA, I was tempted to buy it too - a very nice coral!

For anyone interested they have 2 more nice encrusting montis for sale at Austin aquariums.

[SueT]

Jim, thats the piece you sent me the pic of. I have Veron's 3 set and only use the Volumn 1 as that is the book with acropora and montipora. I am going to say with about 75% assuredness that that may/might/could be montipora effusa. I saw a piece somewhat like that and it was positively id'ed as M. effusa and this is a real closeness to that. The one thing I'm 100% sure of is it is montipora of a plating species. 8)

The nodular growth on the front of the piece will probably stay as that.

[SueT]

And yet the pics in the Veron books look nothing like that for the species Montipora effusa. This just goes to show how hard it is to positively id sps corals. The pic Jim has is almost a duplicate for surface detail in the pic in the Veron book.

[Jimnorris]

Last night I got my Veron series out I am thinking more in volume one under montiporas? Didn't get to volume two, fell asleep ;)
Jim

[Bigreefer]

Jim,

Is this the cap that i gave you?

[Jimnorris]

NO

[OrionN]

I love to have a piece of that. I got a really pink Bird Nest. The pinkest I have ever seen. I can trade you a frag for a few polyps of that Monti. I will tank a picture of it and post it in a week or so.
Minh

[Tim Marvin]

Minh, don't offer up too many pieces or you won't have any left. That makes 2 pieces going out now right....?

[OrionN]

If it is the only nice one I have now, then it will just have to do. It really grew fast in my tank. I can see the tip grow. For example, this Sunday, one of the tip just start to look like it devided into two (barely a bump) This after noon, that end have two branch each about 1.5 mm long. That is in 2.5 days. This got to be the fastest growing SPS I have ever seen.
Minh

[Tim Marvin]

I'm about ready to frag some of my tank now also. If you are interested in some deep purples and blues let me know.

[Jimnorris]

Minh,
Actually I have two colonies of this coral. Both are about 5 inches plus! You are welcome to some/one ---- sure I will trade.
Jim

[OrionN]

Tim,
I also got some white tip Xenia, Green with purple edge M. cap and the Pink/purple with blue tip A. millepora. I brought the Millepora and the M. cap to the meeting that first time so I am sure you guys got them. I am still collecting more colorful SPS. I will only have colorful SPS in m tank this time. :)
Once I get all my light in, I will get more SPS from my friend here in Corpus.
Minh

[Tim Marvin]

OK well if you make it up this way you can look and see if you want anything. If I should come down there I'll just bring frags of my best.

[adaminaustin]

Welcome to MAAST Sue T.

Jim that sure is a nice montipora. It has great color, that much I know. :D

[SueT]

Thank you Adam. I appreciate the Welcome. I was born in that part of the state so I feel right at home.

Let's hear it for Burnet Texas!!!!

That is an awesome montipora spp. Jim has.

[adamRS80]

I found this picture and it is labeled as a montipora. Just thought it looks an aweful lot like the one you got Jim.

[OrionN]

Adam,
What a beautiful coral. Do you just have the picture or do you actually have this coral in your tank?
Minh

[adamRS80]

Here is a photo where you can see the coral in my tank that I mentioned is very similar. Mine is a different color, but also little blue polyps and has the seems to have a similar shape. Sorry the picture is a little blue but the supposed montipora is to the middle right of the picture.

[adamRS80]

Minh, the first photo is just a picture that I have, the second one is actually from my tank. I haven't yet decided what color mine really is. When I first got it, it was a little more red, now it's like a brownish orange. I think it's the same kind as Jim though.