"Mat Coral"

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by NewReef45177, Mar 6, 2011.

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  1. NewReef45177

    NewReef45177 Plankton

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    Hello Reefers...
    One of my wife's bosses gave us a bunch of frags of various corals on Friday. Among the mushrooms and toadstools was this little beauty...he called it "mat coral" but I can't find a match when Googling and I'm sure there's a better name for this stuff. When the polyps are retracted it looks like a piece of leather....a falt, flexible, leathery slab. When the polyps extend it looks like a carpet of Xenias or something similar. Any ideas? Thanks.
     

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    NewReef45177, Mar 6, 2011
    NewReef45177, Mar 6, 2011
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  2. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Star polyps is what it looks like.
     
    2in10, Mar 6, 2011
    2in10, Mar 6, 2011
    #2
  3. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    I agree with that.
     
    SushiGirl, Mar 6, 2011
    SushiGirl, Mar 6, 2011
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  4. NewReef45177

    NewReef45177 Plankton

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    Yes, it does...but I have some Star Polyps also and they don't seem to be attached to a piece of leather. This thing is a flat, leathery slab from which the polyps appear and disappear. When the polyps are retracted it resembles a piece of wet cowhide.
     
    NewReef45177, Mar 6, 2011
    NewReef45177, Mar 6, 2011
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  5. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    It is from the same family of corals, some mats grow differently than others. I would treat it the same as star polyps.
     
    2in10, Mar 6, 2011
    2in10, Mar 6, 2011
    #5
  6. NewReef45177

    NewReef45177 Plankton

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    Thanks, folks...you convinced me.
     
    NewReef45177, Mar 6, 2011
    NewReef45177, Mar 6, 2011
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  7. JJL

    JJL Purple Tang

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    They actually look a little like anthelia polyps... Not positive though...
     
    JJL, Mar 6, 2011
    JJL, Mar 6, 2011
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  8. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    i have to agree with that, and the description reminds me of anthelia.
     
    Va Reef, Mar 6, 2011
    Va Reef, Mar 6, 2011
    #8