How finicky are clove polyps?

[ZzyzxRiver]

I had an interesting experience with my firework cloves over the past few weeks. All the polyps that were on the frag when I bought it slowly closed up and melted away… while the runners grew wildly (I’m talking like a centimeter or more a week) and sent up at least 20 happy baby polyps by now. No idea why it would be happy and also partially self destruct at the same time!

 

[Formulator]

I had an interesting experience with my firework cloves over the past few weeks. All the polyps that were on the frag when I bought it slowly closed up and melted away… while the runners grew wildly (I’m talking like a centimeter or more a week) and sent up at least 20 happy baby polyps by now. No idea why it would be happy and also partially self destruct at the same time!

Kind of sounds like it could be induced by a predator or lack of light/flow. At least it makes sense from a biological perspective if polyps are being eaten in one spot or not getting the right lighting/flow, spend a lot of energy getting to a potential better location rather than keeping polyps in an area that causes stress.

I’m just hypothesizing though. No idea if corals actually display this behavior.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

I don’t think it’s local conditions- the new polyps are going on the frag and immediately surrounding rock. My guess is the biggest polyps didn’t care for the sudden change in conditions from fancy frag tank to amateur’s 5-month system. Anyhow—truly explosive growth rate, and it seems exponential as the runners multiply. It’s exciting to watch and I can’t wait for the rock it’s on to be a colony!