LPS Corals in the wild

[CoolGuy77]

I have a question about LPS corals and how they attach to live rock in the wild. I understand that SPS corals encrust themselves to rocks in the wild and in aquariums; however I can't find any information about how LPS corals attach to rocks. In aquariums we use epoxy or wedge them between rocks, but how do they stay attached in the wild? I can't even find pictures of LPS corals in the wild, everything I find are pictures of SPS. Does anyone know how LPS coral naturally attach themselves in the wild?

[Clown79]

They don't attach

 

 

They are calcareus corals which develop calcium on a hard skeleton via the polyps.

 

LPS corals propagate by spawning. The parent will grow small corals that will separate from the parent, or the parent will simply separate into multiple corals.

[Pjanssen]

In other words, LPS (and SPS too) are the rocks. They grow and build themselves up over existing reef.

[jedimasterben]

Some LPS will fragment from stuff bumping into them, or storms blowing them apart, but most are spawners. The sperm and egg will combine and form pelagic planulae that drift around for a while until they settle onto a new part of the reef.

[jack1978]

The sperm and egg will combine and drift around for a while until they settle onto a new part of the reef.

 

-another reason why not to swim in the ocean.

[ninjamyst]

Some LPS will fragment from stuff bumping into them, or storms blowing them apart, but most are spawners. The sperm and egg will combine and form pelagic planulae that drift around for a while until they settle onto a new part of the reef.

does this ever occur in a home aquarium??

[jedimasterben]

I would imagine it does, but not for everyone. Nano sapiens had it happen recently.

[mystersyster]

I would imagine it does, but not for everyone. Nano sapiens had it happen recently.

So you'll know it happens when you find a random piece of LPS growing randomly somewhere in your aquarium? Weird.

[Nano sapiens]

So you'll know it happens when you find a random piece of LPS growing randomly somewhere in your aquarium? Weird.

 

SPS do this:

 

 

 

LPS, such as Fungia, propel sperm and/or eggs out of the central polyp body:

 

 

Photos courtesy of AIMS

[CoolGuy77]

I understand the LPS corals spawn, and when that happens the coral develops polyps and a skeleton, does that skeleton just stay in place by being wedged? It just seems odd because soft corals will attach to rocks, and SPS corals encrust and attach to rocks (which their dead skeletons are also the rocks), but LPS corals have no way of firmly staying in place? That doesn't seem right

[jedimasterben]

I understand the LPS corals spawn, and when that happens the coral develops polyps and a skeleton, does that skeleton just stay in place by being wedged? It just seems odd because soft corals will attach to rocks, and SPS corals encrust and attach to rocks (which their dead skeletons are also the rocks), but LPS corals have no way of firmly staying in place? That doesn't seem right

The coral planulae attaches to the rock/etc and then begins building skeleton. This is true for both LPS and SPS.

[Pjanssen]

 

-another reason why not to swim in the ocean.

 

hmm. just curious as to what you think the other reasons are?

[Clown79]

They are like trees in a sense.