What determines the shape of corals?

[Chris86]

Hello everyone,

I have seen certain corals, like brain corals, that seem to grow in half spheres. Is this only because it was placed on a surface that is a half sphere? There are so many others that seem to grow on the surface of a rock, but end up being spherical. I know this question is a rather broad one, and I appreciate all responses .

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Political debates. lol jk flow/light

 

[Chris86]

Political debates. lol jk flow/light

Oh no. Not here too!

 

[melypr1985]

It mostly has to do with Flow, Lighting and the skeletal structure of the coral in question. Sometimes the shape of the rock it's sitting on will help determine the shape of the coral. For example: a Montipora that encrusts will be effected by the lighting, flow and the rock it's attached to. An LPS coral that branches like a frogspawn, hammer and candycane coral will end up looking like a ball after a few years. The skeletal structure and lighting pretty much dictates this until it get's past the basket ball size, then it's all about having the room to keep growing.

All of the mentioned elements have an effect on each coral, but some elements will have more of an effect than others depending on the coral. It's also important to mention that each tank is different and that certain parameters will have effects on the growth of corals as well, ie: MG, ALK, Ca among others.

 

[4FordFamily]

Flow and lighting, in short.

 

[Salty1962]

Flow. The less flow the thicker the branches, the more flow the thinner the branches.