Planulae spawning

[jeepjon]

I have found now 4 small new coral colonies growing in my tank. Three on LR, one on my tridacnid...all are in semi-shaded areas, but are DEFINITELY SPS...I have montipora, acropora, stylophora, seriatopora, porites, and pocillopora species in my tanks (and now some GSP, xenia, more zoo's, pavona, and another green "ona" genus that I can't remember....thanks to the 8th all ohio frag swap). ANYWAY..does anybody know which of the first SPS species spawn by planulae larvae? I'm assuming it wasn't sexual...because i really don't have more than one of each in the tank. SO...they look like either small stylophora's or porites, based on the polyp shapes...have you guys had any growth like that? I am leaning toward stylophora, but I wanted some other opinions...they're really too small for pictures, but maybe when they grow bigger, I'll snap a few.

[photobarry]

Pocillopora quite often do something called "polyp bale-out" where the polyps will leave the skeleton and settle elsewhere. That's the most likely explanation for what your'e seeing.

[jeepjon]

So is it a sign of stress....the mother colony is doing great!

[photobarry]

From what I have read, it will happen when the coral is stressed but people have also had it happen for no apparent reason. I wonder if this might happen from internal parts of the colony that aren't getting enough light or flow due to the growth of the colony. If all your other corals look good, I wouldn't worry.