SPS dropping branch?

[Waters40]

I have had a Green Horn Coral (at least I think that is what it is) for several months. It has shown good growth and color. This picture is under the moonlights but they daytime coloring isn't much different. There is a small section that appears to be melting off. Is this normal reproduction behavior (I assume not but I could hope) or should I be looking at other issues (water quality, pests, etc.) The rest of the tank, which is a mixture of SPS, LPS, and soft corals, are doing fine.

 

[smtank]

It looks to be a branching Hydnophora, a branch breaking off and dropping would not concern me. In my opinion it acts more like an LPS than a true SPS.

 

[Waters40]

It looks to be a branching Hydnophora, a branch breaking off and dropping would not concern me. In my opinion it acts more like an LPS than a true SPS.

Ok, thanks....it is strange that it looks so good but is dropping a branch. Even the branch that is "melting" off has open poylps.

 

[markalot]

Ok, thanks....it is strange that it looks so good but is dropping a branch. Even the branch that is "melting" off has open poylps.

It's a way for this incredibly aggressive coral to reproduce, from what I've read about it. It will drip skin down to the rock below and start a new colony. Is there anything directly below that it might be attacking?

 

[Waters40]

It's a way for this incredibly aggressive coral to reproduce, from what I've read about it. It will drip skin down to the rock below and start a new colony. Is there anything directly below that it might be attacking?

No, nothing directly below it. There is a small Birdsnest frag and another SPS within a few inches but that is it.

 

[markalot]

No, nothing directly below it. There is a small Birdsnest frag and another SPS within a few inches but that is it.

Be careful, it can reach out and kill nearby corals if the flow is right.

Here's a pic of one killing a nearby acro.

 

[Waters40]

Wow.....I didn't know they had the ability to extend that far like a LPS would. I do have it within inches of a few other SPS. I ended up removing the small branch that was melting off and placed it in a crevice on the live rock to see if it grows.

 

[smtank]

Wow.....I didn't know they had the ability to extend that far like a LPS would. I do have it within inches of a few other SPS. I ended up removing the small branch that was melting off and placed it in a crevice on the live rock to see if it grows.

Yeah I have had mine kill sps that were 2 or 3 inches away.:headwallblue:

 

[sabo]

They are known to be very aggressive, so it was with macabre interest when I watched my elegance inflate to such a degree that the war was on. Who would win?

Elegance came out the victor. Horn coral died off on the bit that got stung but has since grown back. Funnily the elegance hasn't inflated that big since. Its almost like it was just showing the hydno who's boss!