What is the difference between Acan, Favia and Echinata

[JR-Tanked150]

After looking a lot of corals the last couple of days, I'm trying to find out the difference between acan, favia and echinata. Just by looking at a picture how would you know which one it is?

 

Its probably a beginner question, by we just started learning about corals a couple of months ago. I haven't even started to figure out the different types of acropora.

[Valeria]

The acan is has more flesh- let’s call this meat. The Acan is the meatiest of all three , the echinata has about ¼ of the flesh of the acan, the favia’s skeleton is only covered with flesh, it does inflate but never as thick as the other two. Oh and the acan has distinct polyps. If you want to see the difference between the acan and favia feel free to swing by- I’m in Woodbridge.

[zygote2k]

It's the skeletal structures that define the 3. Flesh or polyp expansion differs with each one depending on water conditions.

[jaddc]

It's the skeletal structures that define the 3. Flesh or polyp expansion differs with each one depending on water conditions.

+1

 

Coral zoologists primarily observe the skeletal structures to differentiate between species. Echinata is a subspecies -- like Acanthastrea echinata or Acropora echinata.

 

The Mussids (the family to which Acans belong) have spiky teeth beneath the flesh that you can feel and the Favids do not.

 

For more info to start the journey search for Scleractinia on Wikipedia.