Does anyone have any information on this coral?

[Triggerjay]

It was purchased as orange/blue fire coral. This coral is coming to me,.. I have not recieved it yet. What I am wondering is if this is the type of coral that can harm my fish, or ME for that matter? Thanks

Jason

[SJS]

Pretty - dont know anything about it though... keep us posted, looks nice

[Varga]

I WANT THAT deep water bird nest? just making that up would love to know as well.

[BoomerD]

There are several corals called "Fire Corals"

Millepora alcicornis
Sinalaris sp

Millepora dichotoma
Millepora exaesa
Millepora murrayi
Millepora platyphylla

Try googling the names and see what you get.

Milleporina

Shedd Aquarium

Wilderness: Fire Coral Cuts

[Triggerjay]

It looks like possibly two different species on this frag plug.
Distichopora spp appears to be the orange one. here is what I have found on it:
Image - Distichopora violacea - - Distichopora violacea - ARKive

Lace corals are hydrozoans, and thus have different type of polyps with different functions than anthozoan corals. The polyps of hydrozoans are near microscopic size and are mostly imbedded in the skeleton, connected by a network of minute canals. All that is visible on the smooth surface are pores of two sizes; gastropores and dactylopores. The rows of gastropores flanked by one of two rows of dactylopores are diagnostic of the genus (3). Dactylopores house long fine hairs that protrude from the skeleton. The hairs possess clusters of stinging cells (nematocysts) that can inflict stings on human skin. These hairs capture prey, which is engulfed by gastrozooids, or feeding polyps, situated within the gastropores (2).

[Triggerjay]

I think this may be the "blue" one. I am getting contradicting results however, on the ability of the coral to sting a human or fish. Heres what the Dr. says about "lace coral"
Lace Stick Coral (Distichopora sp.)

Whaddya guys think?

Jason

[Kate]

Fire corals can sting, so if you don't touch the coral itself, you will be ok. They are in the same family as the jellyfish, I've read. Maybe someone else knows a bit more! I saw that one, and thought it was pretty! Nice one!

[funkpolice]

I know that when we went snorkeling in mexico, the warned us of an area that had fire coral. They said it could give you a bad rash if you touched it. I don't know what kind of coral it actually was, as it was before I knew anything about corals, but it may be the same stuff.
bill

[Triggerjay]

I got it today. I will post some pics up tomorrow when the lights are on. When mounting it, I accidently touched the tissue, and did NOT get stung. This leads me to believe it is a lace coral. Still a relatave of the famous portugese man of war jelly,.. but none the less, pretty much harmless to humans. I had to mount it upside down, in a very low light area. these are NON photosynthetic corals I have learned.. So, if they don't feed from light.. this means,... Phyto.. Supposedly they are very hard to care for. I am guessing that it will not last long in my hands. I will do my best, but the special treatment it requires makes it a difficult specimen for the most advanced aquarist.

Jason

[Frankie]

I would not shade it fully Jason just yet. Keep researching it. Very cool coral buddy! As with all corals try to wear gloves when handling them. Better for you and them.

[BoomerD]

Where's my "evin twin?" He's usually on the spot with accurate ID's...

[Tru2nr]

yeah thats def. not fire coral....usualy fire coral is a flat stoney coral nothing pretty to look at(atleast from what i've seen diving in the BVI) and hurts like heck the minute you touch it...my sister learned that the hard way one time diving

[BigAl07]

From that original pic is looks SWEET! Doesn't resemble the "Fire Coral" we saw while snorkeling in Belize but I'm sure there are many variations of it.

[cheeks69]

According to the book "Corals" by Julian Sprung the orange one you posted is a Lace Coral "Distichopora" sp. which is non-photosynthetic.

[Triggerjay]

yeah, I had it narrowed down to that in post 5 and 6.. I have it placed in a cave, shaded from light. I feed phyto once a week, so maybe this will be enough. From everything I read, this is a VERY difficuly species to keep, even for the most advanced. I do not have high hopes for it.

Jason