Can you ID this SPS for me, please?

[mattdean]

Just bought this nice piece, but the LFS just said it's an SPS. I would like to know exactly which species it is.

Anybody know?

[crvz]

It's a terrible challenge to identify corals to the species level without microscopic analysis of the skeleton, but I'm comfortable saying it's in the genus Montipora. Do you have many other SPS corals?

[mattdean]

Thanks Spiff. I appreciate the input.

[Fat Tony]

Definitely a Monti, hard to tell exactly with variety though as Chris stated. Interesting piece though.

[mattdean]

thanks Tony, it looks like a Montipora Capricornus. Yeah, my girl saw it and really wanted it. It works great in the tank.

Cheers

[Fat Tony]

I would say that it isn't a capricornis, more likely a danae or verrucosa or confusa

[tdwyatt]

I concur with Tony, looks to b a M. confusa based on the ridging of the more mature peaks,even though it would be a little too brown; but it is very had to tell from a photograph, especially of such an immature example.