SPS allelopathy

K

kaledrina

I want to know what the pros have to say on this topic...

I know SPS can kill eachother when touching, but how do I know what to avoid if there's so many different acro types with names slapped on them for fun? What happens when they start chemical warfare? Will the branches start turning away from their neighbor and continue growing?

Also while on the topic of SPS, my pocillopora fell down into the sand and there's a small patch that died off. It hasn't spread but will new polyps take hold in the dead patch eventually?
 
I'm no pro, but I can tell you what I've read.. allelopathy can occur when any two corals get too close- results can be anything from bleaching to retarded growth (depends on if the allelopathic compounds are intended to kill or just clear space around the corals.)
 
Generally SPS have to be in really close proximity to cause any issues.

When they touch or get very close one will dominate and depending lots of things can happen.

1) One has very localized death and the other grows as much as before.

2) One gets hurt badly and has significant damage and the other doesn't like it

3) Both tolorate it but growh is real slow

4) One totally dies the other takes over (rare)

or any combo of above. Best advice s just start fragging when they get close. Otherwise it's a crap shoot!
 
Some SPS will actually fuse together when they meet. I have an orange cap, orange digi and elkhorn monti all merged together in one crazy coral.

On the sand damage, if the tissue and polyps are gone, it's unlikely that the coral will regenerate that portion. If you can frag it off without too much damage to the rest of the coral, you might consider doing so just to avoid any further tissue necrosis.
 
I doubt I'll have any problems for a long time... My tank isn't exactly "full" in terms of corals and I'm only going to have about 5 or 6 Sps. 2 or 3 acros, a couple birdsnest, and my pocillopora.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top