Soft coral sp. identification

[kraels]

Hi all!

If anyone can help me, I would like to know the species of the following soft corals I have in my tank.

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

Thanks in Advance!

 

[liddojunior]

I think all of them are variations of Lobophytum sp corals

 

[kraels]

I think all of them are variations of Lobophytum sp corals

Someone told me instead that they may be some species of sinularia.
So I am a bit confused and would like someone to clarify these doubts for me, and if possible also recognize the subspecies.

 

[liddojunior]

Someone told me instead that they may be some species of sinularia.
So I am a bit confused and would like someone to clarify these doubts for me, and if possible also recognize the subspecies.

The only one that I think would be sinularia is N4 , but when you look closely the polyps and growth of the fingers makes me think its the branching Lobophytum that ORA farms

Here is a good article

Get to know the leather corals: Sarcophyton, Lobophytum and Sinularia | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Leather corals are a group of soft coral which includes the genus Sarcophyton, Lobophytum and Sinularia. Leather corals are easy to care for and a great addition to any tank, and within these groups…

reefbuilders.com

All the others have the classic growth and edges you expect from a Lobophytum

 

[liddojunior]

I think the subspecies for these would be way to hard for any hobbyist to label, its more than just visuals.

But its really cool to have so many different Lobophytum! I actually collect leather corals. So hope to have a cool collection of large colonies like you

The most recent leather that I got was the GSC Yeti , which I believe is also a Lobophytum

GSC Yeti Leather #4 (New Release)

Golden State Corals

goldenstatecorals.com

 

[kraels]

Very beautiful!
Many thanks for your explanations and article!

 

[encrustingacro]

Someone told me instead that they may be some species of sinularia.
So I am a bit confused and would like someone to clarify these doubts for me, and if possible also recognize the subspecies.

Sinularia don't have siphonozooids, and have large, visible sclerites. Sinularia are cabbage leathers. Sclerophytum finger leathers are often confused for Sinularia, and are probably what you're thinking of. The corals you're looking at are Lobophytum, though.

Species-level identification is basically impossible for most Sarcophytid genera without either molecular testing and/or looking at the sclerites under a microscope.

 

[kraels]

Thank you!