Some Growth issues with acros

[hsnydn]

Hi,

I am almost new to Acropora. After losing some of my frags, I have finally succeeded in keeping them alive since a year, and they are now growing horizontally. I understand the encrusting phase that occurs at first. However, I am facing two situations that seem strange to me:

1. The coral is growing, encrusting, and getting thicker—really thick. However, it has completely lost its original shape. What could be the reason for this?

Before:

After:

2- Another Acro—this was one of my first Acros, and I initially succeeded in killing the frag but left a tiny piece of tissue on the frag plug. Within a year, it continued to grow horizontally, encrusting the rock, and eventually reached a 7 cm diameter. However, there has been no vertical growth so far. It looks healthy to me, but I’d be happy to hear any suggestions.”

Before:

After a year, growing out of a tiny piece of tissue:

And, please mention if you know the name of these acros.

 

[bossman818]

Are they under high water flow or low water flow?

 

[bobnicaragua]

Those are doing well, I wouldn’t change anything major. It takes a long time to grow out acros!

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Also are you sure they are not tabling acropora ? If its growing its usually a good sign some acropora take a year or 2 before they sprout like crazy.

 

[hsnydn]

Are they under high water flow or low water flow?

200lt tank with multiple wave makers. I am sure they are not under high flow, I can say under medium flow.

 

[hsnydn]

Also are you sure they are not tabling acropora ? If its growing its usually a good sign some acropora take a year or 2 before they sprout like crazy.

I dont know what type they are.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

A lot of SPS will fill the plug before start growing up. The coral wants to make sure it has a good secure base to support the vertical growth. Also I think tabling Acros want to create a wide base to support itself. If a tabling acro just starts growing up and out before it creates a good base, it will selfshade itself and that would be counter productive.
Here is a quick shot of a Garf in my frag tank that has no vertical growth and may take over the whole rack horizontally before it decides to grow up.
Other factors can include nutrient flow and lighting.

 

[hsnydn]

A lot of SPS will fill the plug before start growing up. The coral wants to make sure it has a good secure base to support the vertical growth. Also I think tabling Acros want to create a wide base to support itself. If a tabling acro just starts growing up and out before it creates a good base, it will selfshade itself and that would be counter productive.
Here is a quick shot of a Garf in my frag tank that has no vertical growth and may take over the whole rack horizontally before it decides to grow up.
Other factors can include nutrient flow and lighting.

By the way, how you are going to remove the coral from that tray?

 

[VDC]

what par are they sitting at?

 

[hsnydn]

What about the 1st coral i mentioned? It is really strange to me that it has developped a thick fatty appearence and completely lost its original shape.

 

[Troylee]

Not sure on the first one that’s kinda wild! Almost looks like it morphed into a hydnophora lol.. The second one would be normal..

 

[hsnydn]

what par are they sitting at?

The light is a Maxspect Ethereal 130W. I haven’t had the chance to use a PAR meter, but I gradually increased the light intensity. To give you an idea, it’s definitely not high light—either at an ideal level or slightly less.

 

[bobnicaragua]

What about the 1st coral i mentioned? It is really strange to me that it has developped a thick fatty appearence and completely lost its original shape.

That coral has good color and good polyp extension. It’s healthy doing its thing.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

By the way, how you are going to remove the coral from that tray?

Well there is a plug in the center…. I think it will not stick very well. Hopefully…

 

[djf91]

Definitely something wrong with the first Acropora. I don’t know how anybody can say that’s normal.

Some type of hyperplasia it looks like. People have thrown out many reasons for this over the years from low light levels, to phosphate levels, to microbiome anomalies.

It seems to be more common these days than it was in the past.

 

[hsnydn]

Definitely something wrong with the first Acropora. I don’t know how anybody can say that’s normal.

Some type of hyperplasia it looks like. People have thrown out many reasons for this over the years from low light levels, to phosphate levels, to microbiome anomalies.

It seems to be more common these days than it was in the past.

Thanks for the definition of ‘hyperplasia.’ I found similar cases and many discussions about it. I will continue to research further. From what I understand, there is no specific cause or solution. Some refer to it as “cancer” in corals. Many have tried dipping, but it often doesn’t resolve the issue. Some say it is caused by bacterial infections, old tank syndrome, or other factors. Interestingly, multiple reefers reported recovery after moving their coral to a different tank.

Regarding my coral, there are some damaged parts, which might provide a clue. This might be and infection may be. Also some part partially peeled, and I think this might be related to shading.

I’m unsure about dipping it, as removing the coral won’t be easy—it’s encrusted on the rock, something I had been waiting for. Removing it will definitely break the coral.

 

[Troylee]

Thanks for the definition of ‘hyperplasia.’ I found similar cases and many discussions about it. I will continue to research further. From what I understand, there is no specific cause or solution. Some refer to it as “cancer” in corals. Many have tried dipping, but it often doesn’t resolve the issue. Some say it is caused by bacterial infections, old tank syndrome, or other factors. Interestingly, multiple reefers reported recovery after moving their coral to a different tank.

Regarding my coral, there are some damaged parts, which might provide a clue. This might be and infection may be. Also some part partially peeled, and I think this might be related to shading.

I’m unsure about dipping it, as removing the coral won’t be easy—it’s encrusted on the rock, something I had been waiting for. Removing it will definitely break the coral.

Check your salinity… there’s been reports of low salinity causing it and the cure was raising it up… I had a couple acros that bubbled up at one point but they all corrected themselves over time and still to this day I don’t know why lol..

 

[Bogdan21]

Thanks for the definition of ‘hyperplasia.’ I found similar cases and many discussions about it. I will continue to research further. From what I understand, there is no specific cause or solution. Some refer to it as “cancer” in corals. Many have tried dipping, but it often doesn’t resolve the issue. Some say it is caused by bacterial infections, old tank syndrome, or other factors. Interestingly, multiple reefers reported recovery after moving their coral to a different tank.

Regarding my coral, there are some damaged parts, which might provide a clue. This might be and infection may be. Also some part partially peeled, and I think this might be related to shading.

I’m unsure about dipping it, as removing the coral won’t be easy—it’s encrusted on the rock, something I had been waiting for. Removing it will definitely break the coral.

I wouldn't try dipping, hasn't done anything for anyone who tried.
Do you dose All For Reef?
Follow this thread. We are trying to figure it out ourselves as well.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tulip-polyp-syndrome-and-neoplasia.819707/page-7#post-13108960

 

[hsnydn]

I wouldn't try dipping, hasn't done anything for anyone who tried.
Do you dose All For Reef?
Follow this thread. We are trying to figure it out ourselves as well.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tulip-polyp-syndrome-and-neoplasia.819707/page-7#post-13108960

Thank you for the information. I read all the messages there under the topic, and this is exactly what I am facing. Many of my other corals also have the tulip shape. It seems to be more common than I thought, but there’s no clear reason or solution as of now.

Here’s what I’ve started to change:
1. The salinity level was 37, and I reduced it to 36.
2. I stopped using NoPox.
3. I was adding AF Build at night, but I’ve stopped that as well.
4. I reduced the amount of AB+ Energy.

If possible, I will try to do a water change every 4-5 days instead of every 7-10 days.

 

[hsnydn]

I forgot to mention, I don’t use All For Reef products. I was normally dosing red sea alk, ca, mg by dosing machine. Weekly basis Red sea Trace colors, AB+ Energy daily and AF build drops at night.