Differences in Torts

[thedude]

Ok so after a lengthy thread hijacking, I've decided to make my own exclusive thread for the discussion. So the question is, what is the difference between the three blue torts; California, Oregon, and ORA. I'd like to discuss what other kinds of torts are out there as well. I'll be posting a picture of my ORA tort later and I ask all of you with these beautiful corals to post pictures of yours and what you believe it to be.

John

[::pete::]

If it ok with you and I will check with alex I will merge where I started to this thread?

[thedude]

Sounds great to me Pete. And a picture to start it off right. This is a picture of the parent colonies of 2 frags I will be received Thursday. A yellow tort and a blue Cali tort towards the bottom.

[alexwolf]

yep. thats exactly what mine at home looks like, and i got it from Tim Marvin, who got it from ORA.

[::pete::]

It will make it more confusing to split and merge as some of the comments in the other thread will not make sense here after they are split.

[GaryP]

I believe they are simply three different varieties of the same specie, Acropora tortusa. Their main difference seems to be color, which is a result of pigment formation. This is common in corals that may come from different regions or simply from different water depths in the same area.

Basically, these varieties may have started from a single unique mother colony and through repeated fragging distinct varieties have been created.