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Identifying a brain coral (favites) and the substance it's releasing

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 4:23 pm
by reefkeeper1
Can anyone ID this brain coral for me? It looks a bit weird with those bug-like things coming out of its mouth - what are those things?

Re: Identifying a brain coral (favites) and the substance it's releasing

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 5:51 pm
by ravelo
I'd say it's likely a Favites coral. Those things coming out of its mouth probably are feeder tentacles, or maybe it's just stressed from being out of the water, that's why they look weird.

Re: Identifying a brain coral (favites) and the substance it's releasing

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 6:47 pm
by zenoxa
It's possible that the white things you're seeing are Mesenterial Filaments, which can be used as a defense mechanism, but stress is also a likely cause. Just keep a close eye on it to be safe. Good luck.

Re: Identifying a brain coral (favites) and the substance it's releasing

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 8:38 pm
by reefkeeper1
zenoxa wrote: Wed Apr 09, 2025 6:47 pm It's possible that the white things you're seeing are Mesenterial Filaments, which can be used as a defense mechanism, but stress is also a likely cause. Just keep a close eye on it to be safe. Good luck.
So that's a normal thing, I guess. I used to think it was pests, but how could every brain coral I've encountered have bugs, right? Now I get it.