Orange Tubastrea

[warvillian]

Is anyone familiar with Orange Tubastrea...do they grow more polyps or can they grow onto other rock. I asked my LFS and was told they only grow more polyps and will not expand out onto other rocks. Thanks in advance

 

[mr_X]

they do encrust over rock, and the they build a skeleton underneath.

 

[warvillian]

Right now I have it placed in sand. Could that be the main reason it's not growing out just gaining more polyps.

 

[mr_X]

no. they are not super fast growers. like other lps (favia, goneastrea, acanthastrea) polyps will be seen first. the coral will get fuller and fuller as the skeleton underneath gets thicker, making a dome shape. it takes as much time as sps to grow the skeleton. the fleshy part grows much quicker.

 

[warvillian]

So, in the sand is okay...it's optional if i stick it on a flat rock?

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Sand is OK. They will also broadcast spawn in home aquariums. I'm aware of several folks who ended up with little baby polyps spread throughout their rock work.