How did my SPS end up over there?? Possible spawn activity?

[JMetaxas]

I have two identical very fast growing SPS corals as seen in this pic. I honestly forget the name, Pocillopora maybe.

Anyway, the other day I notice a small version of this coral growing on the return piping of my tank. It's definitely the same type of coral. Probably 18" away too. (see pic #3)

I'm wondering how this could happen with an SPS coral. Of course, soft corals split, drop shoots, and end up all over, but I didn't know an SPS coral could do this.

Could it be that they spawned and attached there?

 

[Potatohead]

Heh, now you know why many people won't put Pocillipora in their tanks

 

[JMetaxas]

Heh, now you know why many people won't put Pocillipora in their tanks

The larger one is an easy 3" across and it started, roughly 8 months ago, the size of my fingernail..

 

[gacolt]

very common.

 

[Dugless]

Pocillipora will have polyps that 'bailout' and end up elsewhere to begin a new colony. It is very common and can be a nuisance.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

It’s not quite spawning, but poccilopora are known for spreading this way asexually.

 

[Livinlocal]

This is exactly why I got rid of my large colony, and I still keep finding them popping up everywhere LOL