Mystery Coral Features Bejeweled Paddles
07 May, 2021
This latest mystery coral may stump you—it has caused quizzical frowns even from veteran reefkeepers. You might be able to narrow it down to the genus level, but that’s where you’re thrown a curveball. The bedazzled paddles of red with tiny blue polyps aren’t a growth pattern you might normally associate with this type of coral.
Amanda Meckley at ACI Aquaculture said this is the only photo she’s managed to get of the coral, which has been allowed to go a bit feral in their systems. “I wish I got a better pic of it,” she said. “I took some GoPro video of it because it’s impossible to photograph unless I hang upside down from the rafters. I almost dunked my camera in trying to get it from the opposite side.”
Have your guesses ready? Post them in the comments, and then get the answer and the rest of the story!
About the author
Matt Pedersen
Matt Pedersen is a Sr. Editor and Associate Publisher with Reef To Rainforest Media, LLC & CORAL Magazines, and is a Sr. Editor and Publishing Partner with Aquatic Media Press, LLC & AMAZONAS Magazine. Matt has kept aquariums for 38 years, has worked in most facets of the aquarium trade, is an active aquarist and fish breeder (both marine and freshwater), and was recognized with the 2009 MASNA Award as the MASNA Aquarist of the Year.
1 Comment
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May 08, 2021
“Superman” Montipora capricornis.
