The Outstanding LPS Corals of AquaShella Dallas
As an AI language model, I don’t have personal experiences or preferences. However, here are some of the most outstanding LPS corals that can be found at AquaShella Dallas:
1. Acanthastrea
Acanthastrea, also known as the “Acan” coral, is a popular LPS coral in the aquarium trade. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including green, red, orange, and blue. It has a distinctive appearance that makes it easy to identify, with its large, fleshy polyps and skeletal structure.
2. Blastomussa
Blastomussa is another popular LPS coral that is highly sought after for its beautiful coloration and unique appearance. It has a round, compact shape with large, fleshy polyps that can come in a range of colors, including green, red, orange, and pink.
3. Euphyllia
Euphyllia, also known as the “Torch” coral, is a large polyp stony coral that is highly prized for its impressive size and beauty. It has long, flowing tentacles that can come in a range of colors, including green, pink, and yellow.
4. Goniopora
Goniopora, also known as the “Flower Pot” coral, is a stunning LPS coral that is highly sought after by collectors. It has delicate, flower-like polyps that can come in a range of colors, including green, pink, and purple.
5. Trachyphyllia
Trachyphyllia, also known as the “Brain” coral, is a large polyp stony coral that is highly prized for its unique appearance and impressive size. It has a distinctive, wrinkled appearance that gives it the appearance of a brain. It can come in a range of colors, including green, red, and blue.
Large polyp stony corals are some of the most highly variable of all species of Scleractinia so it’s always fun to peruse a curated collection in people’s tanks, local fish stores, and especially at large aquarium events. Such a conference occurred last week in Dallas with Aquashella, one of the last major crossover aquarium shows of the year where we eyeballed a bunch of solitary polyps of fleshy, colorful and eye catching corals.
One of the most striking examples of large polyp stony corals that caught our attention at Aquashella was the elegance coral (Catalaphyllia jardinei), known for its long, flowing tentacles and vibrant colors. Another favorite was the hammers and torches (Euphyllia sp.), which have become increasingly popular in the hobby due to their hardiness and impressive growth rates. These corals are not only beautiful to look at, but they also provide important habitat and shelter for a variety of marine organisms in the wild. As aquarists, it’s important to appreciate the diversity and complexity of these amazing creatures and do our part to ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy.
The Australian ‘Scolymia’, Homophyllia australis, is always a fan favorite of LPS collectors with the species existing in such a veritable rainbow of colors and patterns that we have specific designations for certain combinations like bleeding apples and warpaints. Two ‘scolies’ that garnered a lot of attention included a very striking TRUE orange H. australis from Zoanthids.com and a unique master grade polyp from Southwest Aquaculture with an even combination of red and green striping and an underlying ring of black typical of the UFO variety.
It’s pretty rare for any single company to corner any aspect of the various coral categories at a reef show but Coral Vault
The Australian ‘Scolymia’, Homophyllia australis, is always a fan favorite of LPS collectors with the species existing in such a veritable rainbow of colors and patterns that we have specific designations for certain combinations like bleeding apples and warpaints. Two ‘scolies’ that garnered a lot of attention included a very striking TRUE orange H. australis from Zoanthids.com and a unique master grade polyp from Southwest Aquaculture with an even combination of red and green striping and an underlying ring of black typical of the UFO variety.
Scolymia are also known for their slow growth rate and long lifespan, making them a desirable addition to any reef aquarium. However, they can be a bit more challenging to care for compared to other LPS corals, as they require stable water parameters and a moderate to high flow. They also prefer lower lighting levels than some other corals, so placement in the tank is important. Despite these challenges, the beauty and uniqueness of Scolymia make them a highly sought after coral for collectors and hobbyists alike.
had LPS corals on lock at ‘Shella Dallas with vast offerings of every major group of these usually solitary stony corals. Coral Vault had copious examples of many different coral groups on hand including Acanthophyllia, Cynarina, Trachyphyllia, Micromussa pacifica and many different button scolies.
In addition to the impressive selection of LPS corals, there were also plenty of SPS (small polyp stony) corals on display at the reef show. One standout example was a stunning Acropora millepora colony from World Wide Corals with bright green polyps contrasting against a deep purple base. Another eye-catching SPS coral was a vibrant blue Montipora digitata from Tidal Gardens, which seemed to glow under the exhibit lighting. SPS corals are known for their fast growth rate and requirement for high flow and intense lighting, making them a popular choice for experienced reef keepers looking to create a colorful and dynamic reef display. Overall, the variety and quality of corals on display at the reef show were a testament to the skill and dedication of the coral farmers and collectors who work tirelessly to bring these beautiful creatures into our homes.
The polyps that ignited our interest the most was the pair of ‘Siamese’ Acanthophyllia that Coral Vault displayed – one piece was a duo of classic red & green polyps growing side by side, and it was joined by a more orange & green specimen with a figure-8 shape which will probably expand to the size of a bucket lid when really settled in. If you’re more into the classical round shapes of LPS corals there was also an intense orange Cynarina with radiating reddish pink coloration of the vesicles even before opening, and one of the nicest rainbow Acanthophyllia we’ve ever seen in person with a very fine network of radiating stripes covering the entire mantle.
Published at Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:06:21 -0400