DNA barcodes are ineffective for species identification of corals from the aquarium trade.

Species identification of stony corals (Scleractinia), which are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is critical for effective control of harvest quotas, enforcement of trade regulations and species conservation in general. DNA barcoding has the potential to enhance species identification success, depending on the specific taxon concerned and genetic markers used. For , DNA barcoding, based on the mitochondrial putative control region (mtCR) and the nuclear intron (), has been commonly used for species identification and delimitation, but the reliability and robustness of these loci remain contentious.