Hey everyone,
I've got a really healthy-looking stalk of frogspawn in my tank and it's progressing nicely. These small bumps have appeared near the base of the tissue, arranged in a perfect circle - about 6-8 of them. I only noticed them because I've been keeping a close eye on this coral, as I initially thought the tissue was growing down the stalk instead of receding (fortunately that's not the case). I'm wondering if these bumps might be the start of new branches. Hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures up later and that'll help clarify things.
Bob
Frogspawn coral growth patterns
Re: Frogspawn coral growth patterns
Those bumps are probably new branches forming. I've got a branching hammer, not frogspawn, but the new heads on mine usually start near the base of the stalk, within the living tissue. They begin as little buds, then over time, they develop into miniature hammer heads. A clear picture would really help confirm this.
Re: Frogspawn coral growth patterns
I've witnessed this phenomenon multiple times on both my frogspawn and hammer corals - those small bumps are indeed buds that will eventually develop into a new head of frogspawn. The tissue that had extended downwards will recede after a brief period, but there's no cause for concern as the bud won't require it at this stage.
In my experience, they tend to form these buds when they're running low on space to split, allowing them to grow in a new direction.
In my experience, they tend to form these buds when they're running low on space to split, allowing them to grow in a new direction.