New Stylo frag ... Concern?

[Euphylliaphyle]

I bought this frag for the princely sum of $10 from a LFS. The bottom branch and where it encrusted the plug appear badly bleached if not dead. I knew this when I bought it, hoping it is not a big problem. The top appears healthy to me, but I'm in my first year of reefing and my SPS experience is limited to Montis and a Lepto so far, so basically none. What do you see? Should I be concerned? Do I need to do anything, like re-frag and re-mount?
TIA

 

[Evil1]

Digitata Montipora?

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I have two Digitata, but this thread is about a Stylophora. (I believe.)

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Digitata Montipora?

Are you saying these photos are of a Monti and not Stylo?

 

[Evil1]

Nope my error missed the heading

 

[Reefer Matt]

I’d keep on eye on it for now and see how it does in your tank. Nice coral!

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I’d keep on eye on it for now and see how it does in your tank. Nice coral!

Thanks! Anything to watch for, other than the white area increasing?

 

[Evil1]

I’d leave it. Place it middle of the tank. I will tell you when conditions are right they grow fast and huge. I just traded mine at my LFS because it got huge! I did frag a small piece to keep as it was one if my first corals and had it for 8 years.

 

[Evil1]

I did notice with mine that due to the density of the branches and polyps the lower portion of the coral looked bleached out and polyp less mostly due to lack of ample light but as I said it was a healthy monster.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I’d leave it. Place it middle of the tank. I will tell you when conditions are right they grow fast and huge. I just traded mine at my LFS because it got huge! I did frag a small piece to keep as it was one if my first corals and had it for 8 years.

That brings up another question: What happens if it is too close to the glass on one side? Does it just grow one-sided once contact is made (assuming adequate flow & light is maintained on the glass side) or do other problems happen? I was hoping to just frag the glass side as required.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I did notice with mine that due to the density of the branches and polyps the lower portion of the coral looked bleached out and polyp less mostly due to lack of ample light but as I said it was a healthy monster.

Thank you, that's helpful. I used to keep bonsai, and you had to thin out branches on some to allow sunlight to other branches. I imagine I could frag branches in the same way if I see this happening to the coral?

 

[Evil1]

This was mine. Up against glass just grew out and up. Really can’t appreciate its size here

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Alk: ?
Cal: ?
Mag: ?

Less important but long term health relies on this:

NO3 (Nitrate): ?
PO4 (Phosphate): ?
Salinity: ?

SPS are no different than any other coral in that if their needs are not met, they tend to wither away quickly or slowly. More info you can provide the better!

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Alk: ?
Cal: ?
Mag: ?

Less important but long term health relies on this:

NO3 (Nitrate): ?
PO4 (Phosphate): ?
Salinity: ?

SPS are no different than any other coral in that if their needs are not met, they tend to wither away quickly or slowly. More info you can provide the better!

I just got this frag. I do not know the parameters at the LFS, but I trust the guy keeps them in a good state. He's got good looking stock and a gorgeous display-only tank.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Not his. Yours.

 

[Evil1]

I just got this frag. I do not know the parameters at the LFS, but I trust the guy keeps them in a good state. He's got good looking stock and a gorgeous display-only tank.

If your Digi are doing well I’m sure the stylo willl as well. It is in my experience that stylo/ birds nest are one of the easier SPS to keep.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Not his. Yours.

I figured you meant mine, but didn't know if you realized that any problems with this piece as shown were inherited.

Here's my last:
(3/20/26):
● Dosing 2.5 ml/day AFR starting 2/21/2026.
● Tests are post-today's AFR dosing.
● Phosphate tested before a.m. feeding.

○ Ca: 450 ppm (-15/7d)
(target: 400-450 ppm)
per Salifert titration
○ Alk: 8.8 dKH (+0.2/7d)
(target: 8-12 dkH)
per Salifert titration
○ Mg: 1,290 ppm (-60/7d)
(target: 1,250-1,400 ppm)
per Salifert titration
* Stay with 2.5 ml/d AFR.
○ pH: 8.0
(target: 8.1-8.4)
per API colorimetric
○ Salinity: 1.0259 SpG/ 34.5 ppt
(target: 35 ppt)
per TropicMarin hydrometer
○ Temperature: 77.5°F
(target: 73-84°F)
per Weber digital therm.
○ Ammonia: ppm (not tested)
(target: 0 ppm)
per API colorimetric
○ Nitrite: ppm (not tested)
(target: 0 ppm)
per API colorimetric
○ Nitrate: ppm (not tested)
(target: 5-50 ppm*)
per Hanna HR Checker
○ Phosphate: 0.27 ppm (-0.14/7d)
(target: 0.06-0.3 ppm*)
per Hanna ULR Checker

I didn't check nitrate this time because I'm out of reagent, but it's been mid-30s ppm for awhile.

 

[Red_Beard]

That looks fairly normal, they do look much paler where the sun doesn't shine... if you know what i mean. The top of that looks very healthy. Let it settle in and it will take off.

 

[Evil1]

Not his. Yours.

That looks fairly normal, they do look much paler where the sun doesn't shine... if you know what i mean. The top of that looks very healthy. Let it settle in and it will take off.

Btw here is my tiny frag from big mama. It’s about the size of yours. Grow out contest start now! lol!!! You will do just fine I’m sure!

 

[Reefer Matt]

Thanks! Anything to watch for, other than the white area increasing?

As long as the polyps are out and the white area isn’t growing upward it should be okay. Maybe look for any critters that might be bothering it.