Do encrusting corals need a "bridge"?

[pseudorand]

Can encrusting corals span a small gap to expand, or do they need a bridge of some sort?

This is my new mistic sunset monti frag I picked up at Reef Stock in Denver a few weeks ago. The frag plug seemed to stay put wedged where it is, so I left it there. It's a short gap (< 1 cm) to the edge of the remains of a favia and a bit longer to the edge of the rock.

Will he jump it and do fine, or do I need to rip out the plug, chop of the bottom and get him close to flush with the rock?

 

[eggplantparrot]

It will bridge on its own

 

[shakacuz]

should be fine. encrusting corals tend to grow over the surface of the rock.

 

[Dburr1014]

My mistic sunset set are making due by themselves.


They are easy to frag this way too!

 

[Arego]

If there are gaps and openings on the rock it will tend to follow that path.. depending what you're talking about.

My psammys will follow any path tightly, chalices, certain ones bridge/plate, others follow the path loosely. Montis same thing just depends on how big the gap is