Acropora growth pattern

[Yamil Montanez]

Hello! I have several acro frags that were growing at a modern pase. I've noticed for the past few months they stopped growing up, instead all the growth have being encrusting on the rock. Can anyone shine some light on why this could be happening.

 

[Reefer40b]

Have you changed flow? increased it?

 

[Mark Gray]

They are feeling at home soon they will grow up usually they start to incrust a little first

 

[Yamil Montanez]

I did change the flow. Im running two gyre pumps now.

 

[Reefer40b]

Well in my experience giving sps higher flow causes much more base encrusting before shooting up more. It time it will shoot back up so no worries there, just needs to form a strong base in order to support itself in the higher flow.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Think about that - somehow the corals sense stronger flow and that continuing vertical growth may endanger the colony, so it triggers a response to stop vertical growth and instead use its energy to create a stronger base. That's pretty amazing for such a simplistic animal.

 

[Yamil Montanez]

Those pics are three months old. The base on the frags is about two inches mlround but the top still about the same size.

Think about that - somehow the corals sense stronger flow and that continuing vertical growth may endanger the colony, so it triggers a response to stop vertical growth and instead use its energy to create a stronger base. That's pretty amazing for such a simplistic animal.

It is amazing how this little creatures adapt to the environment. I do like the statics and look of the coral encrusted. I'll just wait and enjoy every little moment. Thanks For The Reply To All.

 

[29bonsaireef]

I agree with the high flow leads to more base theory. I have super high flow in my tanks and corals will encrust anywhere from a few months to a year before sprouting up any branches. They seem to wait till the base is about 2" in diameter and then upward growth will explode.

 

[Alfrareef]

I’ve had different type of growth pattern. Some corals spread the base before growing up but others just grow upwards never creating a base. I assume it has to do with the animal type and surrounding environment. I’ve noticed that when they are close to each other they tend to go up, but I also watched different behaviors.

 

[jsker]

Great input here, I was search the very same topic and came across this thread.