Observation of morphological change in captive reef aquaria

[chindapol]

Hi All,

Please share with me your experience of morphological changes of braching coral such as Acropora sp. that results in the diverse form comparing to that of mother colony.

For instance, any observation of the changes of branching type to table form. If you do experince this please specify relevant physical parameters that you think may cause the effect and pictures would also be great.


Thanks!

All the best,

Nol

[TheH]

chindapol: I understand that some species of hard coral can exhibit different growth patterns in response to current and lighting conditions. Are you implying that some of these growth forms are unique to captivity?

[wld1783]

Frags put in low flow are thinner and more spread out. The same coral in high flow develops thicker more densly packed branches.

Sort of obvious but other than colour under different lighting I really havent noticed much difference.

Bill

[xJake]

Here's a good series of articles from Advanced Aquarist Magazine:
Part 1: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/6/aafeature2
Part 2: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/aafeature
Part 3: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/9/aafeature2
Part 4: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/11/aafeature
Part 5: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature

I've seen gyre tanks where the corals grow so densely that they begin fusing their branches together and develop a sort of "pseudo-table" formation. I would definitely say that the higher energy flow you have, the more dense your coral formations will be. IME, Light determines growth direction but not necessarily morphology - I would say flow has a much more major impact.

[wld1783]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14459428#post14459428 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xJake

I've seen gyre tanks where the corals grow so densely that they begin fusing their branches together and develop a sort of "pseudo-table" formation. I would definitely say that the higher energy flow you have, the more dense your coral formations will be. IME, Light determines growth direction but not necessarily morphology - I would say flow has a much more major impact. [/B]

Totally agree xJake


Bill

[chindapol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14440672#post14440672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheH
chindapol: I understand that some species of hard coral can exhibit different growth patterns in response to current and lighting conditions. Are you implying that some of these growth forms are unique to captivity?

Not really, but it's more easy for aquarist to capture and examine this gradual change in morphological shift.




<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14459234#post14459234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wld1783
Frags put in low flow are thinner and more spread out. The same coral in high flow develops thicker more densly packed branches.

Sort of obvious but other than colour under different lighting I really havent noticed much difference.

Bill

Thanks for the info. One of our fellow aquarist even reports the an-ti gravitational growth and the picture just awaresum!!




<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14459428#post14459428 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xJake
Here's a good series of articles from Advanced Aquarist Magazine:
Part 1: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/6/aafeature2
Part 2: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/aafeature
Part 3: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/9/aafeature2
Part 4: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/11/aafeature
Part 5: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature

I've seen gyre tanks where the corals grow so densely that they begin fusing their branches together and develop a sort of "pseudo-table" formation. I would definitely say that the higher energy flow you have, the more dense your coral formations will be. IME, Light determines growth direction but not necessarily morphology - I would say flow has a much more major impact.

Thanks for the link, it cites to many useful papers! Regards gyre tanks, do you have any picture, link or other information? I have heard this kind of scenario somewhere but never see any clear evident and this is where our capture reef aquaria can be a good place to explore the diversity of the form.

[xJake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14462649#post14462649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chindapol
Thanks for the link, it cites to many useful papers! Regards gyre tanks, do you have any picture, link or other information? I have heard this kind of scenario somewhere but never see any clear evident and this is where our capture reef aquaria can be a good place to explore the diversity of the form.

I believe gyre tanks are discussed in the articles I linked (Part 5). There are quite a few photos as well.

[chindapol]

yup, just see it last night sorry