Bonsai, other A. valida, or..?

looselyhuman · Oct 6, 2022

Hi. See pic. I had this in my old reef in 2016. I am not sure where I picked it up.

I don't remember buying either a Bonsai or tricolor valida, but my memory is not great.

For awhile I had it in my head that it was a tenuis from reefgardener, but I was probably smoking something when I made that link.

Anyway, I want one again. I love the super light coloration, which behind the green polyps almost looks lime-colored.

This was grown/taken under T5/LED hybrid.

Thanks!

Dburr1014 · Oct 6, 2022

I don't believe that to be a tri-color valida

Yellowsound · Oct 6, 2022

That looks identical to my BC Secale.

looselyhuman · Oct 6, 2022

Yellowsound said:
That looks identical to my BC Secale.

Wow yeah. I'm pretty certain I've never heard of it (I'm not big on names obviously) but it could easily be. Close enough for me to add it to my wishlist. Thank you!

Dburr1014 said:
I don't believe that to be a tri-color valida

Yeah I mean I know that's why I asked.

Edit I guess I didn't actually say in my message that others (local reef shop) have thought it was a bonsai or tricolor. Sorry. Thanks for the input!

minus9 · Oct 7, 2022

Tri-color/bonsai describes a few different species, but is often associated with A. valida mostly, but secale, nana and cerealis can be lumped in there as well.

bakbay · Oct 7, 2022

Agreed — looks like a Secale variants. I believe mine is as well.

92Miata · Oct 7, 2022

looselyhuman said:
Wow yeah. I'm pretty certain I've never heard of it (I'm not big on names obviously) but it could easily be. Close enough for me to add it to my wishlist. Thank you!

Yeah I mean I know that's why I asked. Edit I guess I didn't actually say in my message that others (local reef shop) have thought it was a bonsai or tricolor. Sorry. Thanks for the input!

Yeah, "reef shop thinks everything with purple and green is a Garf Bonsai or Valida" is a pretty common problem. IDs are hard, especially when flow/light/etc can change growth forms.