Invasive Posilliopora

davidm777 · 2026-10-27T11:07:40-0400

I always hear zenya, GSP and even Clove corals to be invasive. I hardly ever hear anyone talk about pocilliopora being so invasive?
Is this a common thing? Or just that my tank really favors this coral for whatever reason?

saltwaterfish.com · 2026-10-27T11:38:27-0400

I think it really depends on the tank. Some people have a hard time getting it to grow, and then in other people's tanks it completely takes over. I don't think it's as bad as soft corals which is why you don't hear about it as much.

tbrown · 2026-10-27T11:58:25-0400

Pocilopora in my tank had a tendency to "throw" polyps that would attach to rock and start a new frag/colony. It didn't happen near as frequently in my tank as others reported it happens in their tanks though. Not sure if it was a stress response or a spawning event that caused it though

davidm777 · 2026-10-27T12:05:50-0400

I don't think I've experienced them "throwing" heads. The spread starts as a dot, like a single polyp. Then it forms a carpet and from the carpet comes the branches. That's the thing is just spreading everywhere. All the rocks are full of little green patches.

exnisstech · 2026-10-27T12:06:50-0400

I've only kept it once and it didn't survive long term. I did see babies here and there so I imagine if it was thriving there would be a bunch unless it's a last attempt at survival?

JTP424 · 2026-10-27T12:18:54-0400

I was cautious of them in the beginning after hearing about them being a potentially invasive coral.
I picked up one and although it grows fast its not crazy and looks lovely

It is "aggressive" in the sense it will sting others, so careful placement I think is wareanted.
No issues with throwing polyps (yet)

BeanAnimal · 2026-10-27T12:21:53-0400

davidm777 said:
I don't think I've experienced them "throwing" heads. The spread starts as a dot, like a single polyp. Then it forms a carpet and from the carpet comes the branches. That's the thing is just spreading everywhere. All the rocks are full of little green patches.

Yes a single polyp can bail out and settle somewhere else to start a new colony. It can be prolific or invasive in some systems and not in others. I wouldn't hazard a guess as to if decides to spread if it is unhappy, or happy.

I had some that wasn't invasive until it was.

davidm777 · 2026-10-27T14:50:11-0400

tbrown said:
Pocilopora in my tank had a tendency to "throw" polyps that would attach to rock and start a new frag/colony. It didn't happen near as frequently in my tank as others reported it happens in their tanks though. Not sure if it was a stress response or a spawning event that caused it though

Sorry I am working. I dont know why when I first read this I imagined your refered to the tips breaking off. That's a good question. Weather they are apreading as a stress response or as a things are so great response. I will take some pics when I get home.