For several years we’ve enjoyed a really cool coral that comes mostly from Western Australia which is both beautiful and intriguing. While these do look distinct from ‘typical’ Micromussa that we’re used to, I just assumed it was a different species, perhaps one that hasn’t been described.
But it recently came to my attention that these guys send out wicked sweeper tentacles more like Favia (Dipsastraea) than the normally docile Micros that can all be kept in close proximity. However, while you can cluster this particular ‘Micro’ with its own kind, it will absolutely destroy any classic Micromussa or M. lordhowensis in the vicinity.
I don’t know what the answer is to this particular ID riddle but suspect that further examination may reveal a very unique coral; the way that Australophyllia helped to clear up the picture with regards to Wilsoni corals that are clearly different from Symphyllia. What we do know is these pseudo-micros are very hardy, very colorful, come in a range of colors and patterns and grow very well in a range of average reef tanks.
