Invasive Posilliopora

[davidm777]

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 Verified Sponsor]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Little buggers popping up everywhere

 

[davidm777]

Exactly! And they grow quick! Soon it will passing off your Favia.

 

[davidm777]

Mind you. I already got rid of the mother colony a while back.
(nevermind the bubble alge and the feather dusters )

 

[Sam7]

Little buggers popping up everywhere

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

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.

The scientific term is "polyp bailout". This is a well recorded mode of propagation. Some, but not all, Pocillopora species are also known to release planulae that start new colonies.

 

[davidm777]

The scientific term is "polyp bailout". This is a well recorded mode of propagation. Some, but not all, Pocillopora species are also known to release planulae that start new colonies.

I have experience polyp bailout on hammers but as a stress response and they were not propagating. Is the release of planulae the same as polyp bailout?

https://aquarium.org/animals/pocillopora-coral/

 

[davidm777]

I find very interesting some reefers have kept pocilliopora and it does not propagate like crazy in their tanks.