How do coral spread laterally?

[Schteeve]

Hey all,
so this is a question for both LPS and Soft Coral, at the moment they're quite new so they're still on their plugs. But as they grow larger will they slowly envelop the plug and spread over the rock they're glued to?

 

[JCOLE]

Hey all,
so this is a question for both LPS and Soft Coral, at the moment they're quite new so they're still on their plugs. But as they grow larger will they slowly envelop the plug and spread over the rock they're glued to?

Yes. Most SPS will encrust over the plug and onto the rock first before taking off and starting to grow. Most corals like to establish a base first.

Edit: sorry didnt see you asked for LPS and Softies.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Yes. Most SPS will encrust over the plug and onto the rock first before taking off and starting to grow. Most corals like to establish a base first.

Edit: sorry didnt see you asked for LPS and Softies.

Water flow and light can influence growth patterns as well.

Oops, sorry I didn’t say hi

 

[JCOLE]

Water flow and light can influence growth patterns as well.

Oops, sorry I didn’t say hi

I figured as much..smh... Lol. Hello to you as well neighbor!

 

[Tennyson]

Most coral do a combination of encrusting downward and then growing upward (ie. formation of new polyps).

A healthy coral should do both. If a coral does one and not the other (like only upward growth, or only downward), perhaps its missing something.