8 Week Old Candy Cane Bailout Survivor

[Blargle]

During mid June, I had a single candy cane polyp bailout. 3-4 days later I noticed the ejected polyp was still alive in a crevice on the rock. I scooped it into a net keeper and have continued to monitor it the last 8-ish weeks. It's still going. This was purely an experiment that I wasn't invested in, so I didn't even give it a plug, but today I had to clean the net keeper because the algae was finally getting long enough to be a problem, and I did give it a plug. It may have some encrusted parts on the bottom, although its so small that its hard to tell.
Anyone ever had one last this long? Or have one attach to something and start growing? I've read that in lab conditions they can survive and regrow their skeleton although no one that I've asked has had any success in keeping them alive even a week, so I'm curious if anyone has had longer term success? I don't expect anything, just wanted to share, and see if this was more common than I was originally thinking.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

@kevgib67 youve got a gorgeous candycane

 

[kevgib67]

@kevgib67 youve got a gorgeous candycane

Well jeez I’m blushing, I’ve heard that about my face, bottom and overall physique but not my coral. Thank you Jill.

 

[kevgib67]

During mid June, I had a single candy cane polyp bailout. 3-4 days later I noticed the ejected polyp was still alive in a crevice on the rock. I scooped it into a net keeper and have continued to monitor it the last 8-ish weeks. It's still going. This was purely an experiment that I wasn't invested in, so I didn't even give it a plug, but today I had to clean the net keeper because the algae was finally getting long enough to be a problem, and I did give it a plug. It may have some encrusted parts on the bottom, although its so small that its hard to tell.
Anyone ever had one last this long? Or have one attach to something and start growing? I've read that in lab conditions they can survive and regrow their skeleton although no one that I've asked has had any success in keeping them alive even a week, so I'm curious if anyone has had longer term success? I don't expect anything, just wanted to share, and see if this was more common than I was originally thinking.

Sorry I’ve had them for most of my 20 years of reefing but I can’t say I’ve experienced this. I’m hopeful for the amount of time it has hung on and definitely would like to stick around to see how this turns out. Fingers crossed.