Can you identify this mysterious coral, recently photographed and shared by ACI Aquaculture’s Amanda Meckley?

This latest mystery coral may stump you—it has caused quizzical frowns even from veteran reefkeepers. You might be able to narrow it down to the genus level, but that’s where you’re thrown a curveball. The bedazzled paddles of red with tiny blue polyps aren’t a growth pattern you might normally associate with this type of coral.

Amanda Meckley at ACI Aquaculture said this is the only photo she’s managed to get of the coral, which has been allowed to go a bit feral in their systems. “I wish I got a better pic of it,” she said. “I took some GoPro video of it because it’s impossible to photograph unless I hang upside down from the rafters. I almost dunked my camera in trying to get it from the opposite side.”

Have your guesses ready? Post them in the comments, and then get the answer and the rest of the story!

Free CORAL Newsletter

Join our email list to get the latest on new species, aquatic news and brilliant images chosen by our editors.

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to the CORAL Magazine e-newsletter.