The July/August 2017 edition of CORAL Magazine’s CORAL VISIONS opens with a stunning example of a Clavularia sp. dubbed the “Pennywise Clove Polyp,” brought to us by A&M Aquatics.
Our bimonthly ritual of taking a coral census from leading livestock suppliers has once again produced an overwhelming number of candidates, each vying for a spot in our printed edition of CORAL Visions. For each coral photo immortalized in the pages of the magazine, many exceptional candidates must be passed over.
What becomes of the dozens of stunning corals that don’t make it onto the printed page? Herewith: a look at some exceptional coral morphs and cultivars that did not make it into the current issue, but that we suspect you will find worthy of a second look.
For those new to our CORAL Visions series, take note: recognized coral vendors furnish their own subjective and generalized rating on a particular coral’s care requirements. Out of respect for the expertise of these professional aquarists, and the realization that different cultivars of the same coral species may have different needs, we refrain from attempting to equalize or normalize these ratings between individuals of the same species or type. Therefore, you might see different ratings for the same coral’s light, flow, or care needs, when comparing entries.
For the sumptuous print edition of VISIONS, look for a copy of CORAL Magazine at your LFS or Barnes & Noble bookstore and see the corals that beat out the ones below. Comments or suggestions to our editors may be posted below.
—Matt Pedersen
The WWC Cherry Tree Montipora peeks out from under two Acropora colonies.
WWC Cherry Tree Montipora
Montipora sp.
World Wide Corals
Orlando, Florida
worldwidecorals.com
Geographic Origin: Unknown
Light Level: Moderate
Flow Level: Moderate
Care Level: Easy
Photo Credit: Dillion Dugan
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi, also commonly known as a Wellsophyllia, from Eye Catching Corals
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
Eye Catching Corals
Vienna, Ohio
eyecatchingcoral.com
Geographic Origin: Indonesia
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Low to Moderate
Care Level: Easy
Photo Credit: Eye Catching Corals
A gorgeous specimen of the Aqua Medic Rainbow Acanthastrea.
Aqua Medic Rainbow Acan
Micromussa lordhowensis
Aqua Medic Live
Loveland, Colorado
aquamedicusa.com
Geographic Origin: Unknown
Light Level: Low
Flow Level: Low
Care Level: Easy
Photo Credit: Chad Wohlers
A&M Aquatics also shared these beautiful Magician Palys.
Magician Palys
Palythoa sp.
A&M Aquatics
Lansing, Michigan
amaquatics.com
Geographic Origin: Indo-Pacific
Light Level: Moderate
Flow Level: Moderate
Care Level: Easy
Photo Credit: Brian Dowling for A&M Aquatics
Homophyllia australis
Carolina Aquatics
Kernersville, North Carolina
carolinaaquatics.com
Geographic Origin: Eastern Australia
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Low to Moderate
Care Level: Easy
Photo Credit: Josh Davis
The impressive Jason Fox Enchanted Forest Birdsnest Coral
Jason Fox Enchanted Forest Birdsnest
Seriatopora sp.
Jason Fox Signature Corals
Baltimore, Maryland
jasonfoxsignaturecorals.com
Geographic Origin: Indonesia
Light Level: High
Flow Level: High
Care Level: Moderate
Photo Credit: Christopher Jason Studios
QM’s 🌈🔥Echinata
QM 🌈🔥 Echninata
Acanthastrea echinata
Quality Marine
Los Angeles, California
qualitymarine.com
Geographic Origin: Tonga
Light Level: Low
Flow Level: Low
Care Level: Easy
Notes: Provide gentle non-laminar flow. Feed this coral frequent big meaty meals. These will take a surprisingly large meal such as Mysis, or even small-sized krill.
Photo Credit: Eli Fleishauer for Quality Marine
Unique Corals shows off this stunning lavender and green Long Tentacle Plate Coral.
Long Tentacle Plate
Heliofungia actiniformis
Unique Corals
Van Nuys, California
uniquecorals.com
Geographic Origin: Unknown, most likely Indonesia
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Moderate
Care Level: Advanced
Notes: Provide non-linear flow. Sadly, they are very sensitive to handling and often times rapidly deteriorate from a single point of damage to the tissue. This is especially apparent after importing. They prefer a sandy substrate and once acclimated to captivity, can do quite well if left alone and healthy from the start. When purchasing them it is best to view the entire skeleton for signs of shipping damage.
Photo Credit: Joseph Caparatta
