coral i think

[monsinour]

There are 2 pieces of this on one LR i just got. Is it coral, if so what kind?
 

 

[spanko]

Is a coral, maybe a gorgonian. Can you get a wider shot also?

 

[monsinour]

Once my son wakes up and we run to the LFS and back for the base rock, I will put this into the tank and get a better pic. In about 2 hours i think.

 

[bw256s_srt4]

LOL it looks like a worm of some sort.

 

[monsinour]

Here is the better pic:
 

 

[meowzer]

Did it smell bad when you took it out of the water...LOL...I'm looking thru my coral book, and it kinda looks like a EUNICEA SP. (knobby sea rod)
 
it says they smell bad when out of water

 

[monsinour]

I honestly dont remember the smell of it. Then again, I am not best with smells right now. Even though the fostered cat is in another room and the door is closed, It is kind of effecting me and my allergies.

 

[meowzer]

LOL.....Well google the Eunicea sp, and see what you think
 
I am leaning towards a sea gorgonian/fan/rod though....it's just the white branch that is throwing me off.....
 
the Eunicia has a white branch. There is another one a swiftia exserta...it is a red polyped gorgonian, but the base is pretty orange looking

 

[monsinour]

As long as this is harmless and will not effect the choice of fish entering the tank, I really dont need to know what it is. I have to admit, I have been staring at it facinated by how small and intricate the little polyps are.

 

[meowzer]

Well knowing what it is will help you care for it......some need high lighting, some need to be spot fed...you need to know stuff like that

 

[monsinour]

I am going to go on the assumption that it is Eunicea and start in that direction. If it starts to wither, then I can post up and hopefully someone here will have the answers.
 
edit : this is the best bit of info I could find on this:
 
The appearance of Eunicea is highly variable, with many colors within a single species. However, gray and brown shades are the ones most commonly seen in the aquarium trade. Captive Care: It does not appear that all species are symbiotic, and Eunicea, in general, have a reputation of being difficult to maintain in captivity. Certainly this is true for any aposymbiotic species. Eunicea are predominantly shallow-water corals, so strong lighting is necessary for the photosynthetic species, with strong indirect water flow for all species.
 
Strong lighting? I have those 12k lights, is that going to work for these little guys?

 

[btldreef]

I'm almost positive that you have a correct ID.
 
The dr's site has some good info on these guys.
 
Be really careful when you get your diatom bloom. If this coral gets covered with diatoms, it may die. In your aquascaping plan, I would keep this rock with this coral closer to the top. They needs moderate to high lighting and moderate to high flow. It may starve in such a new tank, so be prepared for that.