Coral id and ethics question

FlyfisherDan · 04/02/2015, 04:31 PM

Can anyone help me identify the brown, whispy ?coral? That is on the right side of this piece of rock? (They kind of look like micro aptaisa but are not spreading around tank or getting any bigger) I have a couple of rocks like this that I would like to remove from my DT because they have an abundance of pulsing xenia, olive green palys and these mats of flowing brown ?coral?. Now that I've learned that the palys and pulsing xenia can be invasive if not planned for and trimmed back, is it wrong to offer these rocks/corals up for sale or trade. I've only been in the hobby for a year now but have learned a ton from this site and fellow reefers.

rogerstammy · 04/02/2015, 05:53 PM

I personally don't see a problem with selling/trading rocks.

CStrickland · 04/02/2015, 06:20 PM

If you mention them to the person you trade with then they can decide for themself, and you don't have to fret. One reefer's pest is another reefer's treasure. I'd consider a little Xenia a bonus, but I'd def appreciate the heads up so I could keep an eye on it.

FlyfisherDan · 04/02/2015, 08:19 PM

Thanks. That was more or less what I was thinking. I still would like to know what the brown "coral" is to make sure it is really not anything that could do some damage

CStrickland · 04/02/2015, 09:19 PM

that's a pretty fuzzy pic...
can you say a little more about its structure?
"micro aiptaisia" could be encrusting gorgonian, or briarium, maybe google those and see if it matches yours

chefbill · 04/03/2015, 07:18 AM

Is it this? If so, Ive heard encrusting gorgonian or xenia morph. I'd like to know myself.

FlyfisherDan · 04/03/2015, 03:37 PM

Yep....encrusting gorgonian (briarium sp.) From all I've read it is not well known, but there seems to be a lot of interest once someone has some. There seem to be a lot of color variations too......pink, tan, white, blue, green and reddish brown as I have. (I wonder if individual tank chemistry and lighting have anything to do with color?)
Anyways, it is a nice flowing coral, just have to be careful on placement.
Thanks for the help

CStrickland · 04/03/2015, 03:48 PM

happy to help.
I think they are actually two diff things though. briareum is like green star poyps. In your tank its a technicality, they like the same conditions. But for fragging, might be good to be sure. GSP, is fairly trendy right now, which is cool cause you can use websites as a guide for what they are worth.
enjoy!

CHSUB · 04/03/2015, 03:56 PM

encrusting gorgonian

i have a bit....it must be controlled, i peel, scrape, and toss to keep it from overgrowing other corals. not as bad a xenia, however!

04/03/2015, 03:56 PM	#9
CHSUB "Certified Hobby Expert" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 2,038	encrusting gorgonian i have a bit....it must be controlled, i peel, scrape, and toss to keep it from overgrowing other corals. not as bad a xenia, however! __________________ Goniopora Police _________________ building a 60"x36"x30" peninsula reef...follow at "NEW TANK BUILD" on reef discussion forum! http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2110638

04/02/2015, 05:53 PM	#2
rogerstammy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 22	I personally don't see a problem with selling/trading rocks.

04/02/2015, 06:20 PM	#3
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	If you mention them to the person you trade with then they can decide for themself, and you don't have to fret. One reefer's pest is another reefer's treasure. I'd consider a little Xenia a bonus, but I'd def appreciate the heads up so I could keep an eye on it.

04/02/2015, 08:19 PM	#4
FlyfisherDan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Menomonee Falls,WI Posts: 27	Thanks. That was more or less what I was thinking. I still would like to know what the brown "coral" is to make sure it is really not anything that could do some damage

04/02/2015, 09:19 PM	#5
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	that's a pretty fuzzy pic... can you say a little more about its structure? "micro aiptaisia" could be encrusting gorgonian, or briarium, maybe google those and see if it matches yours

04/03/2015, 03:37 PM	#7
FlyfisherDan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Menomonee Falls,WI Posts: 27	Yep....encrusting gorgonian (briarium sp.) From all I've read it is not well known, but there seems to be a lot of interest once someone has some. There seem to be a lot of color variations too......pink, tan, white, blue, green and reddish brown as I have. (I wonder if individual tank chemistry and lighting have anything to do with color?) Anyways, it is a nice flowing coral, just have to be careful on placement. Thanks for the help

04/03/2015, 03:48 PM	#8
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	happy to help. I think they are actually two diff things though. briareum is like green star poyps. In your tank its a technicality, they like the same conditions. But for fragging, might be good to be sure. GSP, is fairly trendy right now, which is cool cause you can use websites as a guide for what they are worth. enjoy!