FAQs about Agariciid Corals

Related Articles: Agariciids, SPS Corals, 

Related FAQs: Stony/True Coral, Coral System Set-Up, Coral System Lighting, Stony Coral Identification, Stony Coral Selection, Coral Placement,  Foods/Feeding/Nutrition, Disease/Health, Propagation, Growing Reef Corals, Stony Coral Behavior, SPS Identification, SPS Behavior, SPS Compatibility, SPS Selection, SPS Systems, SPS Feeding, SPS Disease, SPS Reproduction,

At right: a Pavona cactus, the most popular Agariciid aquarium species.

Help identifying unusual coral - Psammocora explanulata? No, Perhaps Pachyseris – 07/18/07
Hello,
<Hi Peter, Mich here.>
Any idea what this cool coral might be?
<Possibly an Elephant Skin coral (Pachyseris rugosa).>
I was thinking possibly Psammocora explanulata.
<Mmm, don't think so. Psammocora generally have star like corallites.>
I'm told it's from Australia.
<OK. This would fit with the Pachyseris.>
Do you have info on its habitat requirements?
<Pachyseris generally prefer strong light, high water movement, and relatively high nutrient levels. They are generally hard to grow in less than ideal conditions and are relatively uncommon in the industry though they are not rare in the wild.>
It has some edges that move with the water flow, but when they are touched, they get rock hard.
<Pachyseris have a thin ciliated tissue. No polyps or tentacles are visible.>
Thank you so much!
<Welcome!>
I really enjoy reading your advice.
<Glad to read! Mich>
-Peter Urso