Do corals build up resistance to parameter fluctuations?

[Maddlesrain]

I was thinking about this recently, and I'm curious what everyone's opinions are. I'm under the impression that captive grown corals are a bit hardier than wild caught, but I'm wondering if captive grown corals build up more resistance to parameter fluctuations over time (or as they survive different changes in our tanks)? I ask this because I've sadly lost some corals due to power outages or a bad batch of salt that caused my alkalinity to plummet, but others carry on strong. Is this luck, or are the surviving corals building immunities like we do with our immune systems?
I hope that doesn't sound too looney lol!

 

[Spare time]

There is probably selection going on with the zooxanthellae

 

[Maddlesrain]

There is probably selection going on with the zooxanthellae

This makes sense. I always try to go for tank grown or local pieces because they seem less fussy than imports.

 

[kartrsu]

Wondered this myself too. I by no means keep my parameters as stable as they should, and my SPS (stylos, poci and montis) have proven hardier than my torches. I guess depends on what is there to make the coral sick pathogenically. Bacterial infections are notorious with euphyllia that are stressed. But overall I think your initial premise is right. More time surviving captive with changes in parameters means hardier coral overall.

 

[Reefahholic]

Just depends on which coral and how big the fluctuation.

Try and large swing with certain Tenuis or Millepora.

 

[damsels are not mean]

I think corals do adapt with how they build themselves and the way they balance their zooxanthellae, but tbh most of our tanks are unnaturally stable for corals. Some parameters are not so consistent in the wild depending on local conditions. Consider a sheltered shallow lagoon near a rainforest. Salinity can drop quite a bit there during a rainstorm and go right back up, yet corals can grow and thrive there. On the other hand, corals near the reef crest can regularly get blasted by cold water currents and be fine. pH fluctuates overnight on most reefs just as much as it does in our tanks. Lighting changes day to day as algae blooms and storms completely change visibility.