Parascoylmia-Australomussa

Introducing the Enigmatic Australomussa Coral

If you've never come across the Australomussa coral, don't fret – you're not alone. These intriguing corals are quite the rarity in the trade, often quietly dwelling in obscurity, and seldom discussed online. To add a twist, they're known by various names, adding a layer of mystery to their identity.

Initially imported as Australomussa rowleyensis, these corals underwent a taxonomic transformation about five years ago when researchers reclassified them into the genus Parascolymia. The term "Parascolymia" might ring a faint bell, resembling the more familiar "Scolymia." The prefix "para" suggests proximity or similarity, suggesting that "Parascolymia" hints at something "closely related to Scolymia." However, these corals only bear a passing resemblance to the Scolymia commonly seen in the hobby. The typical Scolymia boasts a single polyp and a more fleshy appearance, prompting coral taxonomists to reassign the ever-popular Scolymia australis to the genus Homophyllia. Similarly, corals once classified as Acanthastrea bowerbanki were also moved to Homophyllia, revealing a striking resemblance between the two.

You might be wondering what's left in the Scolymia genus after the australis species was reclassified. Well, Scolymia vitiensis remains, and it bears a much closer resemblance to our subject, Australomussa. Both exhibit a distinctive flat growth form with large polyps and a spiky skeleton, evident on the coral's surface.

For the sake of simplicity, let's refer to them as Australomussa. While a handful of people may recognize this coral by that name, it's a far cry from its more obscure classification as Parascolymia. Keep in mind, the world of coral taxonomy is in constant flux, so these labels may evolve further. As previously mentioned, this coral category has experienced considerable reshuffling recently, with the potential for more changes on the horizon.

Taxonomy aside, Australomussa is a captivating and exceptionally rare large polyp stony coral in the hobby world.