FAQs about Oculinid/Galaxy Coral
Identification
Related Articles: Oculinids, Galaxy Corals,
Related FAQs: Oculinids 1, Oculinids 2, & FAQs on: Oculinid Behavior, Oculinid Compatibility, Oculinid Selection, Oculinid Systems, Oculinid Feeding, Oculinid Health, Oculinid Reproduction/Propagation,
& 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,
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SPS ID 11/11/12
Hello, I would appreciate if you would identify the coral pictured below.
The polyps are about 1/4" wide. Thank you!
Mohammad
<This looks to be an Oculinid, a Galaxea species. Bob Fenner>
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Coral ID Help 4/28/12
First, thank you so much for your website!
<You're welcome Stacy>
My husband bought a stocked Red Sea Max tank and brought it home for me.
<Wow!>
Wonderful gift that we had been planning on, but I thought I had time to
research what we would be putting in a tank without being thrown into the
life <fire :-)> first. Your site has been VERY helpful for me to keep all
my new babies alive. I was at a LFS the other day and found this very cool
coral. They had no idea what it was and I have not been able to find it
anywhere. It looks similar to a Galaxea coral, but it has feeding crowns
like a feather duster. Could you please help me out?
<Mmm, my first guess would be as yours, a Galaxea species. The white tips
are a clue as most Galaxea species exhibit white tips on their tentacles.
Bob may input here as well.><<Agree. RMF>>
Thank you again for all your help!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Stacy
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Galaxea in the
Caribbean? 4/9/09
Hey Crew,
<Darby>
I'm aware that corals can spread through the ballast water of cargo
ships, or by hitching a ride on a ships bottom. I've seen Dendros
while diving Cozumel,
<Mmmm>
which surprised me (but allowed me to put some in my biotope! Woohoo!),
but I was caught a bit off guard last night when reviewing a video of a
dive and seeing what looks like Galaxea corals on the top of San
Francisco Caves reef, and more at Columbia Shallows.
<Mmm, the family Oculinidae does exist in the tropical West
Atlantic, but not the genus Galaxea... Perhaps you saw some Oculina
sp.>
Are there Galaxea in that part of the Caribbean (or in the Caribbean at
all) or am I mistaking them for another coral?
<I do believe the latter. Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Darby
Creature ID/FAQ Direction... Oculinid
Resurrection! -11/25/07 Top of the morning WWM Crew, I have
browsed the site looking for some assistance with an ID. I
originally purchased 2 pieces of Live Rock that were barren at
the time, and since they have literally sprouted with some
interesting anemone looking creatures. The first two attached are
of the darker rock, upon which 15-20 tiny purple based with
greenish tip organisms have appeared. They do not appear to have
mouths like an anemone would, but they seem to be of the same
consistency based on how they move with the water flow in the
tank. The second set of pictures of are the lighter rock. I was
unable to snap a picture of the backside of this rock, but many
completely clear more pointed organisms are starting to emerge
out of these 'chambers'. Any assistance would be
appreciated, I would like to read more about these organisms, get
up to speed on whats in the tank! <Haha, that's not just
live rock my friend, that's coral! Apparently, whoever sold
it to you thought the coral was dead and so sold it to you as
"rock." But the coral (a Galaxea sp. from the looks of
it) is now coming back (and spectacularly so). Congratulations!
:)> Happy Holidays, -j <Gracias, y tu tambien, Sara
M.>
Re: Creature ID/FAQ Direction -11/25/07 Ahhh
Excellent! Thanks so much for your assistance I will read up
ASAP. I did not think my 2-t8 32 watt bulbs would be sufficient
to foster coral growth (55 gal tank) <Well, actually, Galaxea
sp. don't need much light.> But they seem to be
multiplying rapidly! <It's pleasantly surprising to me
too. Especially since, if it was sold as live rock, there must
not have been much more than a few bits of live tissue left. We
know that, theoretically, corals can come back from even just a
tiny "drop" of live tissue. But it's exciting to
see it actually happen (especially when you're not even
trying or don't even know it's there! lol). May I ask,
what do you feed the tank? It might be helpful for people
attempting to revive such dying corals to know more about your
system. And please don't be shy... if your nitrates are
through the roof or something, please share anyway. It's
always interesting, when someone has this kind of great,
unexpected success, to know all about the conditions under which
it happened. :)> Diligent research incoming, thanks again! -j
<Very good, but before you think about changing anything,
please keep in mind that whatever you've been doing, it's
been working for this coral. Best, Sara M.>
Re: Creature ID/FAQ Direction 11/26/07
Haha! Yes, I found both pieces in a live rock bin at a LFS,
walked out with both for under $20. The darker rock has
propagated quite a bit in the short amount of time it has been in
the tank (1 week). The lighter rock is beginning to sprout the
clear organisms I spoke about. Is the lighter rock a Galaxea
Coral as well? <Well, it was at one time. It's hard to say
if there's anything living left on it. I'm sorry I was
unable to see the "clear organisms" you were referring
too. It *could* be bleached out coral tissue. But I honestly
don't know without a better picture (and preferably with the
unknown thing circled).> Nothing to be ashamed about, I'll
post the stats. I also attached a picture of the tank. I
don't see anything out of the ordinary with my setup, is it
normally difficult to "revive" these type of corals?
<In my experience, it can be a difficult thing to do when
you're deliberately trying to do it. But, as you can see (and
as has happened to me too), sometimes they just come back without
much aquarist effort at all. Corals are just weird that way
sometimes (or they seem so because of how little we really
understand about them).> 55 gal 2 t8 32 watt bulbs (actinic
and full spectrum) Fluval canister filter with activated carbon.
3 Maxi-Jet 1200 Powerheads Inhabitants - O. Niger Trigger, Maroon
Clown, Longnose Butterfly. Assorted Hermits and Snails. Cleaner
Shrimp. Tank parameters Gravity - 1.023 PH - 8.3 Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0 Nitrate - 0 Temp - 78 <Your salinity and temp are
a little low (1.025 and 80-82F would be better). But like I said,
whatever you're doing is working so I wouldn't change
anything too quickly.> I feed defrosted Mysis shrimp once
daily soaked in Selcon. <Hmmm... maybe the Selcon is helping?
The strong water flow certainly doesn't hurt.> I was not
planning on changing anything (if its not broke....) but I was
curious if I needed to supplement feedings/care requirements of
the coral. Will research the FAQs. -j <Here are some links to
help you out: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/oculinidae.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/galaxycfaqs.htm
http://wetwebfotos.com/Home?actionRequest=articleView&articleID=299
http://www.asira.org/galaxea They're actually not considered
"easy" corals to keep. They feed on small particle food
and, when healthy, can be extremely aggressive. If/as this coral
continues to grow/thrive, it will probably need to be feed more
and maybe given some space. But as they say in AA... best to take
it "one day at a time." :-) Good luck and thank you for
sharing about your coral/system, Sara M.>
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