How long does it take corals to grow?

[James_O]

I’m not really sure what to expect with my zoa... I picked it up about a week ago. It has definitely developed more color, but I’m just no seeing any real growth... am I doing something wrong?

 

[Hooz]

Zoas don't get bigger per se, they grow more polyps. When you "see growth" it will be in the form of another polyp.

Some grow like weeds and sprout new polyps seemingly every other day, some might grow a new one once every few months. That's why some are cheap and some cost $300 per polyp. ;)

It also depends on water quality, lighting, etc. Every tank is different.

A buddy of mine sponsored a grow-out contest. He gave a free single polyp frag from the same mother colony to 30 different people. We check in each month to compare growth. Some people's frags melted in the first week, some are growing like crazy.

As long as it's open and colored up, just be patient. I have 32 different zoas in my tank and they all grow at different rates.

 

[James_O]

Thanks!

Another thing... my light isn’t exactly overhead the zoa, in fact, it’s more at the back of the tank.

Should I move it so it’s right over the zoa? I feel like it might not be getting enough light.

 

[Daniel92481]

Thanks!

Another thing... my light isn’t exactly overhead the zoa, in fact, it’s more at the back of the tank.

Should I move it so it’s right over the zoa? I feel like it might not be getting enough light.

If your zoa is open, it is getting good light. I wouldn’t make any major changes.

 

[Brit’s Fish]

Jake Adams commented in a recent Reef Therapy video that some zoas will grow practically in a toilet bowl. It made me laugh. I hope your zoas grow quickly! The anticipation is the hardest part!

 

[James_O]

If your zoa is open, it is getting good light. I wouldn’t make any major changes.

It’s definitely open! :)

 

[Daniel92481]

It’s definitely open! :)

Hey, looks good!

 

[Hooz]

It’s definitely open! :)

Looks fine to me! If it starts stalking-up and reaching for light, give it a little more, otherwise just leave it be.

 

[Spare time]

1 week is way too little time. But as others said, the rate a coral grows depends on a lot of factors.

You can definitely feed those if you want. That will speed it up.