SPS frag lost color. Will it come back?

[BowieReefer84]

So I have a 1" frag of a millipora sps. I glued it down sideways (I hear this is better than vertical). It has begun to encrust covering the glue and onto the frag plug, and also has really good pe. However, it is a tan color right now, while it came from a colony that was NOT tan/brown. Will it regain color, and how long will this take?

 

I was under the impression once it loses color, it is gone.

 

For the sake of arguement assume it has enough light (150watt new de halide) and good water. And, it is about 6" below the surface.

[scott711]

what lighting did it come from? Where in the tank was the colony you got it from? If the lighting was different that could be a reason it has browned out. It is definitely not dead unless it loses it's tissue.

[BowieReefer84]

what lighting did it come from? Where in the tank was the colony you got it from? If the lighting was different that could be a reason it has browned out. It is definitely not dead unless it loses it's tissue.

Not sure . . .It was a raffle item at the frag fest. It was in a plastic cup . . .Was NOT dr. macs. There were two cups, and I picked this one. Didn't ask any questions.

 

It's def alive and growing, just not too colorful.

[Amuze]

Eh, just give it time. Maybe try moving it down some. Could be your bulbs too.

[Jon Lazar]

Lots of things seem to affect coral coloration, and it's not well understood. However, if a coral has "nice" coloration and at some point loses it, it is always possible to regain that coloration. However, if a coral doesn't have the genes for "nice" colors, it will always be drab.

 

So in your case of the millepora frag, it is possible for it to recover similar coloration over time, given the right environment.

 

Jon

[BowieReefer84]

Lots of things seem to affect coral coloration, and it's not well understood. However, if a coral has "nice" coloration and at some point loses it, it is always possible to regain that coloration. However, if a coral doesn't have the genes for "nice" colors, it will always be drab.

 

So in your case of the millepora frag, it is possible for it to recover similar coloration over time, given the right environment.

 

Jon

 

Yea, well just starting out with SPS I am happy it is growing and has good pe

 

Growing brown sps is better than dead sps at this point for me...

[bluefunelement]

I've gotten some browned SPS and Chalice that took months to get back the right colors - brown Pocillopora turned bright green while another went to purple - turd brown chalice is now a nice purple with blue streaks and orange mouths.

At the same time a rainbow favia went to brown and a fungia shrunk down from to much light - really need to find the right spot and give it time.