LPS corals that grow similarly to SPS coral?

[i cant think]

I was looking for something unique to do with my tank. Now, I have plans for a clam (Currently have one in there) and as it’s only a small tank I didn’t want too much competition for the trace elements. I’m aware LPS will still take trace elements however they seem to be on the easier side of stony coral. The clam (Tridacna deresa) is happy and growing so I was looking for a coral that is similar in growth as many SPS or maybe a coral that won’t be quite as stingy compared to other LPS.
The tank is a Red Sea Max Nano and the clam will be swapped out for something slightly harder (Maxima or Crocea) when the time comes.

 

[Miami Reef]

Branching LPS? All I can think of are duncans.

I think digipora, birds of paradise, and Montipora are very easy, low demanding SPS that will fulfill your aesthetic desires.

 

[Bnichols124]

Why not go with easier sps, like Monti, setossa, stylopora and birds nest

 

[i cant think]

Why not go with easier sps, like Monti, setossa, stylopora and birds nest

Simple answer;
My blenny goes to town on any branching SPS. Ignores everything else but goes to town on frags of branching SPS. I had a Montipora spongoides that was doing great in my tank but it’s dying off as my fish constantly push it off the rock as if it’s a game.

 

[Miami Reef]

Simple answer;
My blenny goes to town on any branching SPS. Ignores everything else but goes to town on frags of branching SPS

Ah, yes, this is a reasonable concern.

How about finger leather softies?

 

[blaxsun]

There are a lot of LPS to choose from. Can you help narrow it down a bit?

 

[DE FISH]

Why not go with easier sps, like Monti, setossa, stylopora and birds nest

I would not consider birdsnest as easy

 

[i cant think]

Ah, yes, this is a reasonable concern.

How about finger leather softies?

They’re beautiful! Definitely going to consider them

Also been looking for something my Black Clown Goby can perch on until my blenny passes (I love him but I also can’t wait till I can get 1-2 SPS into the tank)

 

[Miami Reef]

They’re beautiful! Definitely going to consider them

Also been looking for something my Black Clown Goby can perch on until my blenny passes (I love him but I also can’t wait till I can get 1-2 SPS into the tank)

Don’t clown gobies also pick at sps?

 

[i cant think]

Don’t clown gobies also pick at sps?

In pairs they can however, if the SPS is big enough they will only irritate some of it and not be able to kill it. They normally pick one spot they like and claim it as theirs, staying around it most of the time and “cleaning” the under side of it if they’re preparing for eggs.

 

[TheWB]

How about Branching Cyphastrea.

 

[i cant think]

How about Branching Cyphastrea.

That looks beautiful! Definitely going to look into that too

 

[blaxsun]

Also been looking for something my Black Clown Goby can perch on until my blenny passes (I love him but I also can’t wait till I can get 1-2 SPS into the tank)

Get him a barnacle.

 

[Tamberav]

I was looking for something unique to do with my tank. Now, I have plans for a clam (Currently have one in there) and as it’s only a small tank I didn’t want too much competition for the trace elements. I’m aware LPS will still take trace elements however they seem to be on the easier side of stony coral. The clam (Tridacna deresa) is happy and growing so I was looking for a coral that is similar in growth as many SPS or maybe a coral that won’t be quite as stingy compared to other LPS.
The tank is a Red Sea Max Nano and the clam will be swapped out for something slightly harder (Maxima or Crocea) when the time comes.

Easy....

Branching Cyphastrea​

edit: oh I got beat!

 

[jp_75]

That is a very nice Cyphastrea! Is it low light one? Somehow i can only keep one kind (red one) in my tank.
Always liked the most branching one.

 

[Oredigger77]

Pectinia might be a other option.

 

[Spare time]

I was looking for something unique to do with my tank. Now, I have plans for a clam (Currently have one in there) and as it’s only a small tank I didn’t want too much competition for the trace elements. I’m aware LPS will still take trace elements however they seem to be on the easier side of stony coral. The clam (Tridacna deresa) is happy and growing so I was looking for a coral that is similar in growth as many SPS or maybe a coral that won’t be quite as stingy compared to other LPS.
The tank is a Red Sea Max Nano and the clam will be swapped out for something slightly harder (Maxima or Crocea) when the time comes.

There are a couple of lps I am thinking of, but I guess I am a bit confused on what you want. Is it a high light lps? An sps that is super easy to care for? An lps with tiny polyps? Something encrusting? If you can keep a clam, you can keep stony corals in general.


I wouldn't worry about trace elements. Simply dose them.

 

[Spare time]

Easy....

Branching Cyphastrea​

edit: oh I got beat!

Talk about an uncommon cool coral

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Stereonepthea for unique softy and or gorgonians for that branching look

 

[MaxTremors]

How about Branching Cyphastrea.

Was going to mention this, really the only branching sps-like LPS. Pectinia also gets kind of branchy, but it’s got pretty nasty sweepers.