Overview
Large-polyp stony corals include a wide range of growth forms, from branch-based structures to wall and plate forms.
For reliable ID, focus on how tissue sits on skeleton, how tentacles are shaped, and how the colony grows over time.
Names can drift between sellers, so consistent morphology beats marketing labels.
Key traits to review
- Polyp thickness and tentacle profile at rest vs in flow.
- Skeleton visibility at branch bases or colony edge.
- Wall vs branching structure in mature growth.
- Mouth placement, expansion cycles, and colony-level symmetry.
Common confusion points
- Fleshy extension can hide skeletal structure needed for confident ID.
- Feed-response photos may exaggerate shape compared to normal daytime appearance.
- Different strains of similar LPS can overlap heavily in color.
- Frag plugs and mounting angles can obscure natural growth direction.
Beginner tips
- Record one full week of photos to compare normal daytime morphology.
- Use side angles, not only top-down shots, for branch and wall clues.
- Keep IDs at genus level if species-level traits remain ambiguous.
- Cross-reference at least two trusted reef resources before final labeling.
When AI identification helps
- When narrowing down likely LPS groups from a broad initial photo.
- When prioritizing which visual traits to validate manually.
- When tracking how a frag changes as it matures into colony form.
Use AI outputs as a practical starting point. For final confidence, compare against morphology over time and experienced reef references.
Try Coral Identifier on your own tank photos
Capture a clear photo, review likely matches, and build better coral ID confidence over time.