Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Corals

[clsanchez77]

As you can see in my sig line, I am interested in setting up a caribbean biotope, curretnly am leaning toward mushrooms, but beeing that I have another month before I can start on the tank, I am considering other options.

One option is to do a Gulf of Mexico patch reef. The fish list and live rock I would use is pretty much the same, biggest difference being the corals. I have the book 'Natural Aquariums' as I was recommended to pick it up the first time I mentioned interested in doing a biotope, but this particular biotope has the lease information on the corals.

Porites is pretty much the only coral that I know of in the region that exists in the trade and I understand its requirements are similar to Acro and Monti.

My understanding is that the Gulf of Mexico does not have as much in soft corals but has more hard corals and sponges. On top of that, the corals are illegal in the trade.

So what I am wondering is how can I 'approximate' these corals using counterparts available in the trade. Or what Indo/Pacific corals are 'close enough' if any.

Thanks,
Chris