Help ID this Frag

[Travis]

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

[Travis]

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

[Travis]

[RanRoc]

OK, these aren't as good as Travis's, but hopefully my old HP and magnifying glass will help ID this kid.

[RanRoc]

another

[RanRoc]

another one

[RanRoc]

I can't get any close without the pic being blurry.
-RY

[Boomer]

Trav and RanRoc

I got a new book on soft corals awhile back but haven't looked at it much till now. I'm not much on softy's. Trav yours sure looks like a Sinularia but RanRoc yours has to be a Cladiella IMHO

Soft Corls and Sea Fans, by Farbricus and Alderslade

There is also a similar on-line PDF. Don't think I have posted it here before or if you guys know about it

http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/researc...-corals00.html

[RanRoc]

Boomer, Thanks for the great link!
I'm leaning towards Cladiella sp. In Borneman's book page 126 (paperback version) the second picture showing polyp extension matches the closest to mine. The description
"...very short stalk, colonies look heavy and lumpy...projections are many, forming round to cone-shaped masses of projecting lobes...colonies have a heavy mucus coat. However the colony itself is not terribly soft, but thick and durable...polyps without calyces are completely retractile." This pretty much sums up my frag, except for the mucous coat, as Cosmic suggested earlier. But, I didn't spend too much time paying attention to that while I was trying to spear it. Thanks for all your help folks!
-RY