SPS warfare between two of the same frag?

[polo1126]

Does anyone have experience with what might happen if two separate frags of the same sps grew into each other? For example, two separate Oregon tort frags from two different vendors growing close together? Would they sting each other or would they grow into each other forming a larger colony?

 

[blaxsun]

"Maybe".

 

[DJF]

“Maybe not” Ive got different acros that touch and no problem. Usually ok with the same coral… I’ve taken a coral and fragged/glued them next to each other to grow a colony faster-never had an issue.I’ve got a ca & or tort that touch.

 

[blaxsun]

“Maybe not” Ive got different acros that touch and no problem. Usually ok with the same coral… I’ve taken a coral and fragged/glued them next to each other to grow a colony faster-never had an issue.I’ve got a ca & or tort that touch.

That was the gist of my reply. Maybe... maybe not. Maybe good initially... maybe good long term.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

“Maybe not” Ive got different acros that touch and no problem. Usually ok with the same coral… I’ve taken a coral and fragged/glued them next to each other to grow a colony faster-never had an issue.I’ve got a ca & or tort that touch.

A caligon tort!

 

[DJF]

A caligon tort!

Yessir- so far so good

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

“Maybe not” Ive got different acros that touch and no problem. Usually ok with the same coral… I’ve taken a coral and fragged/glued them next to each other to grow a colony faster-never had an issue.I’ve got a ca & or tort that touch. the Cali still have a green

Yessir- so far so good

The Cali on the left looks good but there is no denying the Oregon torts blue is amazing! Great looking tank and torts!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Yessir- so far so good

Good problem to have, such beautiful warfare

 

[Tired]

If they're exactly the same coral, they won't attack each other. Corals can't attack other identical pieces of coral, or they'd chew themselves apart anywhere they folded over. If you were to take the exact same coral, cut it in half, and put it next to itself, it'd eventually grow back into being functionally one coral.

The exact same coral, as in the same name and everything, shouldn't attack itself. Corals that are different morphs of the same species are probably also fine. Beyond that, it varies.

 

[DJF]

The Cali on the left looks good but there is no denying the Oregon torts blue is amazing! Great looking tank and torts!

Thanks and agree on the Oregon’s blue - bluest thing in my tank and it pops!

my general rule for corals touching is the same species- it not a problem until it is… different species- cut it before it becomes a problem. All that said- I blanket my acros with encrusting montis and dig that look

 

[shakacuz]

Thanks and agree on the Oregon’s blue - bluest thing in my tank and it pops!

my general rule for corals touching is the same species- it not a problem until it is… different species- cut it before it becomes a problem. All that said- I blanket my acros with encrusting montis and dig that look

you’re not worried the monti will encrust upwards?

 

[DJF]

you’re not worried the monti will encrust upwards?

The acros seem stronger and keep the montis in check. They haven’t yet but if they start to shelve or encrust up I’ll knock them back. I have separated the acro/montis at the base with epoxy before but the battle has never gotten out of control & I’m partial to the acros so if they are are bothered or losing- I’ll step in before any real damage. The montis have always been the one pulling back and finding somewhere else to grow. I also have made sure they are established before getting close so the colonies are decent size (I wouldn’t put a small frag on an acro).

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Thanks and agree on the Oregon’s blue - bluest thing in my tank and it pops!

my general rule for corals touching is the same species- it not a problem until it is… different species- cut it before it becomes a problem. All that said- I blanket my acros with encrusting montis and dig that look

Thats cool I like the monti blanket!

 

[Privateye]

Cali and Oregon, I'm not sure. But if they are two colonies of the same genetic SPS individual (and some encrusting LPS too) they are likely to grow together. Here's a video:
The part you're looking for is the second half, but Dave is a really cool guy. It's worth hearing about how he started fragging corals with Phillipe Cousteau and created ORA. Not sure if he mentioned ORA in the video but I skipped through.

Basically they make tiny frags, let them grow together, and then plant a larger coral that would take much longer to grow from a single frag. I did some fragging with them. They make sure to rough-up all sides on encrusting corals because they will grow faster from an injured area.