Increasing polyp size vs number

[Kirk_M]

Does anyone have any tips for increasing the size of the polyps on a Caulastrea (trumpet, candycane) sp. coral, rather than having it divide rapidly? I was in the LFS last week and saw a nice green candycane that had polyps the size of silver dollars on it. The ones in my tank divide like mad, and I have many small heads on it, which seem to eventually crowd each other out and require frequent fragging. The biggest they seem to get before they divide is about the size of a quarter. Is there any particular way to have them just get BIGGER rather than multiply? I feed them 1-2 times per week with mysis, and have them somewhat shaded under T5 lighting (8 light fixture).

Thanks...

Kirk

 

[PufferFish87]

I dont think that there is anyway to get them to grow larger instead of dividing..

 

[Bcollins111900]

I know iodine helps with corals spliting. Do you does iodine? Possinly with cutting back on iodine it may give the candy can a chance to grow larger before it splits.

 

[bobafett]

There are many different species and each type reaches a max size. I have had these for a few years and have never seen them exceed their max size but have seen variation on how fast they multiply based on tank conditions. I have one colony (the more common type) with heads that max out about 1/2", another that reaches about 1" and another that has individual heads that max out at about 2". The last one is pretty cool because it grows multiple heads when splitting while the others just split into two. I have one now that has about 5 heads in the shape of a heart.