Porites and Encursting Montis okay touching?

[kalebos]

I assume they are fine touching, but couldn't find an answer on here or google in 10 minutes so now I'm asking. I like my monti and my porites but I want to put them on the same rock just for the two of them to take over. Any issues?

 

[Yellowsound]

One of them will overtake the other, almost for certain. Even if one does not appear to be stinging the other, one will grow faster- and over- the other, smothering it.

 

[kalebos]

One of them will overtake the other, almost for certain. Even if one does not appear to be stinging the other, one will grow faster- and over- the other, smothering it.

Good to know, thank you. Follow up question. If I tried to do this with two different montis or two different porites on the same rock would that work or would one of them overtake the other still?

 

[t5Nitro]

I think plating caps can somehow grow in with each other. Anything encrusting will overtake the neighboring monti. Cap or other encruster, whichever encruster grows fastest. You'll have to keep those outlined in a rim of epoxy or chip it off as it grows to prevent it from overtaking everything. Overall not a bad "problem" to have to have quick growing coral. They all look nice.

 

[kalebos]

I think plating caps can somehow grow in with each other. Anything encrusting will overtake the neighboring monti. Cap or other encruster, whichever encruster grows fastest. You'll have to keep those outlined in a rim of epoxy or chip it off as it grows to prevent it from overtaking everything.

Thank for your help!

 

[Yellowsound]

Monti ‘Caps’ can be a crapshoot. I say that because sometimes they will grow into each other (which looks AWESOME) and other times, one will smother the other.

I wonder if species has anything to do with the outcome, here. There are plating montis that are often referred to as ‘caps,’ but they are actually not montipora capricornis.

https://reefbuilders.com/2019/04/26/laminar-montipora-1-1/

My instinct is, two ‘true’ monti caps will grow into each other & coexist, but with two different species, one will overtake the other.

Thoughts from any of the pros?