Chalices/acan learnt to live together

[tonggao]

I have two frags of chalice mounted on two base rocks next to each other, and the watermelon is next to a orange crush acan. They were mounted there when they were small, and there were more than enough space between them at that time. As they grew, they started touch each other, and it was not pretty. The orange crush killed a big chunck of the watermelon, and the watermellon took out half of the green chalice. But since they were on the base rocks, there was nothing I could do to separate them.

Now the interesting thing is they grew back, and they are totally touch each other again. The strange thing is none of them is hurting any others! Normally, when corals hurt each other, our first reaction is to seperate them. But it seems like it might not be necessary since they seems to learn to live together after the initial battle, at least in this case. Anybody has a theory behind this?

<a href="http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/tonggao/BAR%20tank/?action=view&current=Chalicesorangecrushcoexisting.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/tonggao/BAR%20tank/Chalicesorangecrushcoexisting.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[121ddler]

very interesting.... acan. echinata has a very strong sting... amazing!!

[kev apsley]

great looking pieces!!!

[muzz]

They will stong eachother to make room to grow. Then they will stop for a while until they need or want more room to grow. It will only be a matter of time before it happens again. But it will most likely be the same result, where one dies back a little, and the other grows into that spot. I would be willing to bet that if you tracked specific areas of growth, the edges away from eachother grow more than the edges near or touching eachother.

[roblack]

Thanks for posting your coral's experience. I have some opportunities to experiment some with this phenomena, as I have too many corals for the space I have. My Orange Crush decimated a sweet Jendub platy, maybe chalices are tougher. Please keep us updated on how it goes. Oh, beautiful corals!

[tonggao]

Thanks everyone for the compliments, and thank muzz for the feedback. I also posted the question in my local club (BAR). So far I got total of 3 feedbacks, all saying it is just a matter of time for the orange crush to attack again:(. This is getting me nervous, and I might just try to do something about the orange crush.

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14745134#post14745134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by muzz
They will stong eachother to make room to grow. Then they will stop for a while until they need or want more room to grow. It will only be a matter of time before it happens again. But it will most likely be the same result, where one dies back a little, and the other grows into that spot. I would be willing to bet that if you tracked specific areas of growth, the edges away from eachother grow more than the edges near or touching eachother.
I agree... IMO after they were harmed they put all of their energy into "rehab" if you will... I believe the battle may have been won, but not the war ;)

[spsboy]

I have to agree with the post above. While they seem to be getting along just fine now. One morning you will wake up, and the echinata will have nuked the chalice. There sting is very potent, and can wipe out entire colonies in just a few hours.

[Chloe1]

I would seperate them and give them more growing space.

[tonggao]

Sadly, your guys theory came true. But interestingly, the orange crush is not the bad guy, at least not yet.

<a href="http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/tonggao/?action=view&current=Chalicesorangecrushcoexisting-not.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/tonggao/Chalicesorangecrushcoexisting-not.jpg" border="0" alt="Chalice fight"></a>

[chillncm]

nice acans...!!!!

[roblack]

I recently viewed some video of two coral colonies waging war on one another, and it was amazing how directed the attacks were, and so many. Tentacles were flying back and forth like crazy. The video was sped up, and really showed how so many lps and sps do battle. Happens more at night. Too bad they can't just get along.

[muzz]

Some chalcies will easily take out an acan, or other chalcies. I have a couplel that have very small feeder and sweeper tentacles, but I have two chaclices that have huge sweepers, and have killed acan lords, ricordeas, and ever stung a frogspawn. The sweepers from a single eye reach out 4 inches. I would definitely give plenty of room around your chalcies and acans, or almost any LPS, as they all have sweeper tentacles of some sort. If you move the damaged one, it will heal. You can even give it a quick dip to help prevent a bacteria infection. Best of luck and thanks for sharing your experience.

[Justin74]

Im starting to wonder if it's just me? But that coral your referring to as a watermelon doesnt look like a chalice at all! Looks like an Acanthastrea rotundoflora! Would totally make sense that it fought with the echinata, and now the rotundo stung the echinophyllia...Which btw, Im surprised didnt happen ealier!!:eek:

-Justin

[AcroporAddict]

My orange crush has killed several polyps of other acans around it. Happens at night like everyone said.

[muzz]

I would also say the one in the middle is an acan, not a chalice of any kind.

[tonggao]

I think you guys are right on, and it probably is an acan rotundoflora after some more study. Thanks for pointing it out.

[reein101]

cool study you did if you want to call it a study . but cool.