Montipora setosa growth?

GHOSTLY · Nov 23, 2022

So my tanks about 1.5 months old and I threw in a setosa just to test it out. It was doing horrible a week ago at the lfs but I've noticed its gotten a lot better. My question is is this growth? It wasn't like this at the lfs and I've never kept this species of montipora before. It becomes easier to see as the days go on

GHOSTLY · Nov 23, 2022

Just tapped the tank so that the polyps would close. Easier to see

Glenner’sreef · Nov 24, 2022

If I understand you, Once you purchased the coral and brought it home and it did better. Polyp extension doesn’t mean growth after just a week or so but it is a good sign. For instance: your salt might be spot on sea water level and your lfs might be 1.020. Not to mention your superior lighting or flow or present nutrients etc. If you want to see growth, keep taking pictures each month or so from the same angle/distance. You’ll see growth.

mdb_talon · Nov 24, 2022

Yes that does look like growth on setosa if you mean the white nubs that completely normal.

GHOSTLY · Nov 24, 2022

Glenner’sreef said:
If I understand you, Once you purchased the coral and brought it home and it did better. Polyp extension doesn’t mean growth after just a week or so but it is a good sign. For instance: your salt might be spot on sea water level and your lfs might be 1.020. Not to mention your superior lighting or flow or present nutrients etc. If you want to see growth, keep taking pictures each month or so from the same angle/distance. You’ll see growth.

Oh I know that. Not talking about the polyps extension but I'm noticing white tips and I haven't kept this specific species before

homer1475 · Nov 24, 2022

The little white nubs on the tips, are growth.

Glenner’sreef · Nov 25, 2022

GHOSTLY said:
Oh I know that. Not talking about the polyps extension but I'm noticing white tips and I haven't kept this specific species before

Oh got it! My bad. The last photo helped clear that up.

Hurricane Aquatics · Nov 25, 2022

SPS in general are slow growers, but that setosa is a real slow grower. As others said, polyp extension is good. Just leave it in the same area and let it be.