Fire Coral

[schroder_reef]

I was wanting everyones opinion on this coral. I believe it is a fire coral, however one of my other friends thinks it is a montipora, which I cant see. Ive been watching it in the store over time and it has gotten a little white but now is getting a little more brown. The thing that confuses me about this coral is fire coral has hair like polyps, I havent seen them on this yet. Whats your opinion.

 

[bang guy]

I agree with you. The fine hairs won't be out all the time, only when it's "happy".

 

[schroder_reef]

Thanks Bangguy. I just put it in my tank yesterday so I'll see how it does.

 

[spsfreak100]

Theres quite a few kinds of "Millepora." The Millepora you got is part of the class Octocorallia (or "Octo Coral"). It's not a true small polyped scleractinian.
I believe it is a fire coral, however one of my other friends thinks it is a montipora
The fire coral is definitaly not a Montipora or Acropora. What you have is a Millepora alcicornis (no, not Montipora Millepora or Acropora Millepora).
The thing that confuses me about this coral is fire coral has hair like polyps, I havent seen them on this yet. Whats your opinion.
You're thinking of a completely different millepora (Acropora Millepora). You shouldn't expect to see hairs at all, the coral should remain as you see it in the picture. They do have polyps though.
Graham

 

[reeferdude]

is this the stinging type of fire coral? I thought that was illegal to import.

 

[spsfreak100]

Originally posted by Reeferdude
is this the stinging type of fire coral? I thought that was illegal to import.
Is this the stining type of fire coral? Yes. It can pack quite a punch. It's quite legall to import, it's also a very quick grower.
Graham

 

[reeferdude]

A diver friend of mine was diving on a reef without a dive skin and brushed her whole arm on a large piece of this stuff and she said it felt like someone putting out a cigrette on her arm. Are there any loop holes in this importation ban or should we supose schroder_reef's LFS are poachers? Also are there many other types of illegal corals?

 

[bang guy]

Fire Coral (actually an encrusting hydroid) can be imported on aquacultured rock legally.

 

[schroder_reef]

Umm the LFS isnt an illegal importer. I know because I work there. This fire coral actually came out of someones tank who was taking it down and we obtained it. It is on the same rock as a hydnophora. Also I know its legal to import some types of fire coral. Its a great canidate for a reef tank because its hardy and has little collection impact. I personally will watch mine very close and make sure it doesnt affect my other corals.

 

[reeferdude]

Where could I go about aquiring some of this stuff?

 

[schroder_reef]

Heres a picture of the hydnophora and fire coral together.

 

[schroder_reef]

Reeferdude, I would ask your LFS if you can special order some in for you. Im sure you could also get some off sites on the internet.

 

[fishkiller]

First- that does NOT look much like fire coral to me. Anybody that has been diving in the keys knows what fir coral looks like. It is rusty/orange color w/ white tips, and yes they hurt like the dickens. Feels more like a jelly fish or man-of-war stings. Or like fire ants. Anywayz, if that is fire coral, somethings wrong w/ it.

 

[schroder_reef]

Yeah I dont get out diving much. Anyway there are many different types of hydroid or fire coral. I know the ones you see are rusty brown. This I believe is rusty brown but is a little white now. It should get its color back.

 

[larrylwill]

I have a peice of LR with a stand of Fire coral about 8" x 5" Its been there for about 8 years, hasn't grown much. Ill post a picture tomorrow. Looks like a shiney smooth rusty orange area on the side of a rock.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by fishkiller
First- that does NOT look much like fire coral to me.
Fishkiller - I agree that the color is all wrong... think bleached...

 

[larrylwill]

Originally posted by larrylwill
I have a peice of LR with a stand of Fire coral about 8" x 5" Its been there for about 8 years, hasn't grown much. Ill post a picture tomorrow. Looks like a shiney smooth rusty orange area on the side of a rock.

 

[larrylwill]

waterfaller1:
What kind of grass is that you have, looks nice. BTW a nice combination, Christmas tree's and fire coral, where did you get it? As LR or as Chjristmas tree rock?

 

[schroder_reef]

Bang guy the coral is not bleached it is actually light brown.

 

[timo]

Larry...
I think the grass is star polyps, and it does look good next to the fire.
Does that fire coral bleach easy?