Goniopora ID

I have read a great deal regarding these corals and understand the difficulty in keeping them going depending on spcies. Some are apparently much more likely to establish than others and I know of several people successfully fragging some types. The one species everyone seems to agree is eventually doomed, however, is G. stokesi. I am now in possession of a Goniopora and I am trying to determine the liklihood of it being that species. The Goniopora was not my main intended purchase- it was the rock covered in intense blue mushrooms that I wanted. This Goniopora is growing attached to the rock that the mushroom colony is on. It is about 5" across and is a generic brown with lighter flecking on the polyp discs.

I also understand the difficulty in identifying different species within the Genus and am hoping that the growth pattern will at least allow me to rule out G. stokesi. From what I have read, that species is free living and usually found growing in muddy substrates in lagoons. Since my colony is very much anchored onto the rock hosting the mushrooms, is it realtively safe to rule out the dreaded G. stokesi? I can attach a pic but considering that it is nearly impossible to tell them apart visually, would it be helpful at all?

 

The best survival rate is for red and purple colored specimens regardless of species. Good luck with the Goniopora. Just do your best with suggestions from those with high success rates.