Coral reference pictures (1 Viewer)

[Varig]

Hey all -

I’m trying to build out a plan of what types of coral I’d like to have in my reef as well as where I might place them now that I have PAR readings at the various spots in my tank. My issue is, since I’m brand new to the hobby I haven’t seen a lot of the corals in a mature state and I don’t feel like I get a lot of info about that when you look at WWC or otherwise. It’s just pictures of the frags. I’ve also tried to find resources on YouTube and otherwise that would just go through some mature coral to give an idea of size. But I must not be searching for the right thing..

So the request, does anyone have a good resource to recommend (print, internet, whatever) that gives a good base level overview of common sps, LPS, softy coral types, how they grow, sizing, etc?

I really appreciate your help.

 

[ikserk]

Look at build threads, good ones have pictures throughout the life of the corals, from frags to colonies. Granted, not every build threads will give what you're looking for. Start with ones that are active, long running and a lot of thread views on the forum.

 

[clownnut]

you need to learn the basic type of sps, branching, bushing, plating, scrolling and encrusting are the most common. so you got some ideas how they will looking long term. flow/light will make a big difference on how they will look in your tank, some sps in a tank with super high flow and strong light will grow differently vs in a tank with decent flow and strong light.
most corals dont have a maxima size, they will keep growing until they run out of space.

 

[BlindSwordsman]

For some basic 'overview' of some common types, you can probably try to go through sites like liveaquaria.com or bluezooaquatics.com. For 'pictures', you probably need to do some browsing .

 

[Varig]

Thanks guys, that's good advice. I've definitely been going through build threads etc. as you mentioned and will continue to do so. I was just hoping there would be a resource that laid out stuff like you mentioned (branching type, plating type, etc.). Even the websites you listed don't seem to really call out how the coral grows (again, branch, plate, etc.). Youtube and otherwise has taught me that those various types exist, so maybe it's as simple as saying "Whelp, I know I want a plating type here." and then talking to Reef Collective or otherwise about what they would suggest for that type of coral?

 

[BlindSwordsman]

..Mmmm ... I'm not really sure what you are looking for . On Liveaquaria.com for instance, from menu -> CORAL -> SPS, the first link on 'LiveAquaria® CCGC Aquacultured Pink Peony Pocillopora Coral', the overview says: ... 'High flow will cause compact branches and low flow will create thin open branches.' ....

Similarly, the second link on 'LiveAquaria® CCGC Aquacultured Red Candy Cap Coral' ... It does say 'cap' and the description is 'Montipora capricornis', and the overview states ... 'Montipora capricornis coral's usual growth form is either plating or vase-like.'

I thought that was kind of obvious enough. Not sure what I'm missing .

 

[Varig]

Nope…I’m just an idiot. I swear I read the full description on several of the corals where I thought the frag looked interesting but didn’t see those terms. Perhaps I was just looking at the quick stats though, thinking it would’ve listed it there or something. I don’t know. Anyway, you’re exactly right. That’s the information I was hoping to see as I was picking what might work well.

That being said, nicely labeled pictures of mature corals in tanks would always be nice too Perhaps I’ll need to start a reference book from how my own grow and post that.

 

[Reefer Oz]

Tidal Gardens, Saltwater Aquarium Blog and Reef Builders have been great online resource for me. Coral Magazine and Reef Hobbyist Magazine are wonderful publications. And these books have been invaluable to my journey……




And as mentioned, there is no shortage of build threads, YouTubers and reef bloggers that wanna show off their tanks. It has also been brought to light how varied the growth forms can be in different systems.

Like everything in reef keeping, you gotta utilize multiple sources of information, formulate your own ideas from that and just go for it. You have been doing a great job of that so far. Stay the course and find confidence in the decisions you make. No pictures you see will accurately demonstrate what YOUR tank will look like with YOUR method. And you will certainly make some regrettable choices, but don’t let that fear paralyze the wonderful possibilities your tank holds. And you can (and certainly should) move coral if the placement seems improper. You got this David! Keep reefing HARD!!!

 

[Varig]

Thanks for the recommendations Josh. I will definitely check those out. The "Corals, A Reference Guide" especially looks interesting. I will admit, while I love looking at the various tanks there is a "lazy" part of me that was hoping there was just a library of mature coral pictures that were clearly labeled with the species of the coral. As then you wouldn't need to know all the fancy lingo, you could just look at the coral and say "Yep, one that looks like that would be great." Alas, no shortcut.

And it's a fair point that because they grow different depending on lighting and flow, at some point a person just makes the plunge. Anyway, back to research, it's still a few months out anyway.

Cheers!

 

[BlindSwordsman]

People came to my house to buy stuff. I told them: No pressure! Can just walk out, don't have to buy anything! ... They looked. They were happy. They bought it. They came home and said it did not look the same in their tank! That is for the case that people see stuff in person . ... .. I once took a fall photo of the front yard and posted it online. The color of the sky was shown with a violet hue. My cousin was impressed and asked if it was the true color. I quoted a poem to prove that there was such a sky color and asked her which color she would like me to change it to in the photo?

Perhaps I’ll need to start a reference book from how my own grow and post that.

That'll be interesting but it will take a bit of time and effort. It is usually slower than watching the paint dry . This reminds me about a thread of my home grown plates. I probably should update it later .

 

[Varig]

Haha, yes indeed, fair enough. I do really appreciate the help. And realize there is a lot to learn...

 

[Reefer Oz]

Check out the pictures I posted in this Coral ID thread.

Kinda demonstrates what we are discussing here. Even misidentifications from vendors can lead to unexpected results. What appears to be a plating form of one coral in a particular system, can end up being a more branching form of a different coral in reality once it grows out in another system (I am still not on what this beauty is, HA!). Don’t get to hung up on it.