Loading ...A lot of mystique has surrounded this coral since it has been released by ORA (Oceans, Reefs, and Aquariums) sometime last year. It has cracked the top 5 list on many reefer’s wish lists since its release, but no one has successfully identified its identity. Well, let us try.
You see we have owned a coral of similar ilk for well over a few years. It has grown into two substantial colonies in our show tank. To our surprise, it resembled as a carbon copy of the ORA Pearlberry, except through its coloration. What was our Acropora coral? Acropora inermis.
Via AIMS:
Colonies are usually open branched, becoming bushy on upper reef slopes and in shallow lagoons. Main branches may have compact branchlets giving colonies a bushy appearance. Corallites are widely spaced and vary greatly in size, the largest being appressed and tubular. The coenosteum is fine, giving branches a smooth appearance.
This is our coral:
Fragd.it's Acropora inermis
ORA Pearlberry via ORACorals.com
Through our observation and keen eyes, we believe that the eluded species has been finally identified. Do you guys agree?
UPDATE: some macros for comparison
Fragd.it frags of Acropora inermis
ORA Pearberry macro photo by DurTBear
Trained by the thirteenth ring master of the Sian Xiuang Coral Temple. Currently is apprenticing the art of Acropora shaping in the ancient tradition of Ninja Fragging. Known as the SPS hero!
Would love to see a macro of each… would be easier to compare.
Good point, let me find some pics for you to compare. I will update the post.