Help ID this Frag

[RanRoc]

I just bought this frag today. I read up on Sarcophytans thinking that this is what it was. The guy at the LFS said it was a Kenya Tree frag, but it was labeled as a "leather frag." I read up on Kenyas and found that the polyps do not retract. The polyps on this frag are obviously retracted. I know it's hard to tell, but any one have a guess? I'll post more pics when the polyps extend; if it survives. Thanx,
-RY

 

[RanRoc]

here's another shot:

 

[ScottT1980]

Expansion picture will probably be best (I am sure you are just waiting for it to expand). Looks interesting though...

Take er easy
Scott T.

 

[addict]

definitely looks like a leather of some sort... maybe a sinularia spp.?
Like Scott pointed out... once it's expanded it'll be easier to tell.

 

[RanRoc]

That's what I figured. I hope it'll make thru the night. It's pretty white right now. Thanks guys.
-RY

 

[ReefLady]

I read this and thought, “I sure seem to remember my capnella closing up.” Sure enough, here’s a pic of jimeluis’s all closed up.

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2870&highlight=capnella

I can see patterns in the structure that look very distinctly “capnella” to me.

BTW I think it will be fine, unless some other sressing factor becomes involved. Just let it sit and mope for a day or three and it should open for you.

T

 

[RanRoc]

Thanx Travis. Didn't know that they did close up. Although it seems in jimeluis's that the individual polyps aren't retracted, or pulled into the body like in my pic. Maybe I just can't see it in that pic. I'll keep the board posted.
-RY

 

[addict]

If it's white it could also be something like a Rasta Leather. A buddy of mine has a white one in his tank, and it's an awesome specimen.

 

[RanRoc]

Ok, today the polyps expanded. This morning I tried to impale it on a plastic toothpick, but the "skin" was so tough it wouldn't go thru. The glue only held it for a while, but it moved itself off the glue and fell. Right now I think/hope that it is slowly mounting itself on the rock.

 

[RanRoc]

here's another. It's probably still too early to clearly ID this thing.

 

[RanRoc]

I still have my doubts as to whether it's a Kenya Tree; doesn't look like the ones in Borneman's book. I'm thinking a finger leather??? I could be wrong.
-RY

 

[ReefLady]

Looks like a speckled leather to me, and has the characteristics too. A kenya tree would be pretty easy to impale.

I was told it's cladiella sp. but I have heard it's a sinulara sp. as well. Here are a couple frags of my speckled leather:

 

[ReefLady]

BTW this is probably my fastest-growing leather... very hardy, and pretty, and gives me frags as often as I feel like cutting them off.

T

 

[RanRoc]

Travis,
I saw that in your gallery earlier today. I meant to PM you about that, but I'm glad that you caught this post. I'm thinking the same thing as you are. I'm leaning more toward the cladiella species, as well. I hope it's just like yours, growing fast etc. Thank you, my friend.
-RY

 

[semigodd154]

looks like a capnella to me but i also had something simialar it was an encrusting colt coral

 

[ReefLady]

Yup, this one lays down a base, I wouldn't call it encrusting, at least in my case, but close.

RanRoc, no problem bud, and I'm sure if it is the same coral that it will do just as well for you. Not a tough one by any stretch, and has been a wonderful candidate for propagation for me. I can puncture the frags to sew them to the rock, but it takes a sharp needle and some effort. I've almost punctured my thumb on the dull end of the needle trying to push it through! LOL

T

 

[Cosmic]

It's surely not a capnella tree coral. FWIW, it doesn't look much like a cladiella either, which would be much softer and easier to pierce through. Slimy is another definite characteristic of cladiella.

I'm going with sinularia based on the polyp extension and comments above. Sinularia will be much tougher consistency than a cladiella (AKA Klyyxum, or colt coral these days). It's times like this that you get the impression of just HOW futile common names are for corals

Other possibilities in my mind would be Lobophytum leather, or possibly an Alcyonium species of leather.
Any chance of getting a close up so we can see the polyps up close?

Cos

 

[ReefLady]

Hey Cos, judging by your description I don't think mine is a cladiella either, what sci. name would you put on that coral? I'm pretty sure it's a sinularia sp., "fuzzy leather" and "speckled leather" are two common names I've heard. I can def. get you closer shots of the polyps.

 

[Cosmic]

It's hard to say Travis... When you say it doesn't fit my description, what in particular are you refering to?

It's been my experience that the cladiellas are by FAR the slimiest and hardest to attach of all the soft corals I've dealt with. The best I can do is liken it to working with thick stalks of xenia, as to it's texture and feel.
I may have thrown you off a bit by saying it's "softer" as well. It's actually tough to pierce through, although it's consistency is more "gooey", if that makes any bit of sense...LOL

If yours isn't slimy, I'd be more apt to move it into the Alcyonium or lobophytum genus', with sinularia being a possibility also. To be more certain, that close-up of the polyps would do miracles though

As a side note, Borneman's book also mentions that Cladiellas will almost ALWAYS come in cream to grey-white colors, with Alcyoniums ranging from brown to yellow. Note that this is a generality only and not set in stone.

-HTH-
Cos

 

[RanRoc]

OK...mine isn't slimy at all. It feels like tough leather. I couldn't even put a dent into the tissue and the toothpick was pretty sharp. I'll try to get that close up for you guys. My camera stinks especially trying to get a macro shot.
-RY