Corals That Take Over

LadyTang2 · Mar 5, 2020

What are some corals that you place in one spot, then over time show up on elsewhere/spread very easily. It could be because they just grow super fast or get carried by the water elsewhere or whatever.

I have heard GSP and montipora will spread all over, is this true? Others?

Reefer40b · Mar 5, 2020

GSP if placed on the main rockwork will continue to cover it
Monitpora just grow fast and can shade out or cover other corals
Pocillopora will spread around as it sends polyps out in the flow, will start showing up everywhere
Xenia can spread fast and have piece tear off that just spread around in the flow
blue cloves (Blue Anthelia ) grow fast and spread fast hard to get out once in
hairy mushrooms can take over just like GSP

swebb · Mar 5, 2020

Kenya tree corals can break off branches that can take over a tank very quickly.

Kellie in CA · Mar 5, 2020

I have GSP right up top in my tank. I didn't place it there, it literally moved itself when my daughter was first born and I wasn't paying much attention. It was very strange because it didn't spread, it actually moved and left no trace of itself behind. Anyhow... yes it will grow over other corals, but once a month I just scrape back the parameter with some long metal tweezers. It's been in it's current location for about 5 years now and everything around it is just fine.

User1 · Mar 5, 2020

Xenia, green star polyps, blue clove polyps, zaos, mushrooms, kenya tree are more common soft corals.

Montipora and sps not as much but there is a possibility of breaking off a piece during maintenance. If it falls in an area that gets enough light and flow it can attach and/or grow. Think mother nature, storm, etc. You break with your hand, see it, reattach, or it falls and floats around. One day you have a nice frag.

NeonRabbit221B · Mar 5, 2020

Cespitularia tends to grab and spread pretty quick.

Sailingeric · Mar 5, 2020

Kenya tree can be a weed. I am always pulling out stray branch. My Devil hands drops pieces often and my green mushrooms grow like crazy but stays on the rock it is on, thankfully

fish farmer · Mar 5, 2020

I have green striped mushrooms that bud off and roll around the tank, get picked up by the flow and settle wherever.

ca1ore · Mar 5, 2020

Reefer40b said:
hairy mushrooms can take over

Hell spawn .... avoid at all costs. Nothing eats them. When the world ends it’ll just be cockroaches, rats, deer and green hairy mushrooms left.

LadyTang2 · Mar 5, 2020

Do most mushrooms spread easily, maybe I wont get any at all

Ook Sag · Mar 5, 2020

I rarely see this coral mentioned, but I think it is the worst offender of a coral taking over. Acrossota Ambionensis Pocilopora.

I have this stuff and I have just accepted it at this point. The only thing I do is brush it down with a metal bristle brush every now and then to try and contain it. It has covered my back wall, and is now overtaking zoas and live rock.

Fishy212 · Mar 5, 2020

Hey op, be careful what you wish for. Some reefers eventually start killing off or propagating these kinds of coral due to overgrowth. If you are considering some nicer corals later on just be aware of the cons. Some will try to isolate certain corals on “islands” and rocks to prevent it from spreading but... you know.... life eventually finds a way.

saltyhog · Mar 5, 2020

Second the fear of pocillipora, especially the neon green color. The pink doesn't seem quite as aggressive. As far as GSP. This is what happened to the DT at one of our local pet stores....kind of got away from them.