First Post:  Identify The  Coral Species

Introduction
Example:  Micromussa is a genus of coral that has been newly discovered in the reef aquarium hobby.  This is a small genus of coral that resemble a cross between Acanthastrea and Favia. The polyps are usually close in size to Blastomussa merletti. Micromussa is popular because of it's typically bright colors and that it is a more rare relative of Acanthastrea which is its self rare and popular.

Scientific Name

Example: “Micromussa amakusensis”

Common Names

Example: Micromussa, micros. This coral could easily be misidentified and labeled as a Favia, Blastomussa merletti, or even an Acanthastrea lordhownesis.  This particular colony was sold to me as Blood Red Micromussa.”

Hardiness
Example: Micromussa are fairly easy.

Flow

Example: Micromussa appreciate medium strength but variable flow.

Lighting
Example: Medium strength flourescent lighting is adequate for micromussa spp.

Placement
Example: Micromussa should be placed upright in reefs with medium light or placed so that they get indirect light in well lit reefs. Also place the coral so that it gets medium strenght turbulent/variable flow.

Feeding
Example: It is not necessary to feed Micromussa but seeing as it is so expensive it may not be a bad idea to feed it so that it grows faster. Meaty foods such as Mysis and Cyclops are good food for Micromussa.

Propagation
Example: Micromussa spp. are fast growers. Feeding them meaty foods to supplement their diet is a good way to get them to grow faster. Once the Micromussa is large enough to frag it would be smart to use a Dremel with a diamond bit blade.

Aggression
Example: Low to medium agression.

Availability
Example: Extremely rare.

References

Example: Compliments of Reefpedia, www.reefpedia.com/index.php/Micromussa ,with additional comments provided by me...

Second Post:  Identify Actual Coral Fragment

Picture
Example: [IMG]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/arowley/2007-12/donor%20frag/donor_frag.jpg[/IMG]

Donor
Example: aquanut6 aka Angel aka Mr. Secretary aka Reef Extraordinare wannabe

Description
Blood red polyps with faint white streaks.  Some stripes are more pronounced than others. When in direct light, the streaks take on a blue hue which is very nice looking.

Donor System Environment
Example:

SG: 1.026
pH: 8.1
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 0 or close to that
Alk: 8 dKH
Calcium: 420
Tank: 40g Breeder, 20 lbs live rock
Refugium: 65g refugium with an 8 inch Reef Grade sandbed, 50 gallon sump, plumbed to 40g and 30g breeders
Skimmer: 4 foot MTC Venturi Skimmer
Lighting: 250W double-ended 14K Phoenix in an AquaMedic AquaSpaceLight fixture
Flow: 2 MJ1200s, 1 MJ900, each MJ has a Hydor rotating deflector on it
Supplements: Walt Smith Fiji Gold, 2x week
Feeding: Was target feeding for a while but not recently

Comments
Example: This was sold to me as a Blood Red Micromussa.  I've had it for about 6 months and it's been doing great.  I fragged it for the first time about 2 months ago for fellow DVRC member Stixbaraca.  I've since made 3 frags; one of which I'm donating here.  When feeding the polyps open up wide and pretty much will take anything I've given it.  Target feeding advances the growth rate tremendously.  I have not target fed it in a while but I feed the entire tank twice a day and I know it's getting some food.  It's still growing, just not as fast as it was when I target fed it.