Attached is a picture of a torch coral I've had for about 4 years. It's doing awesome but lately a bubble of some sort has formed in the middle of it. It isn't a consistent size but right now it's about 3 inches in diameter at the base. Does anyone have any idea what this is and what causes it? Is it normal? Another section of the torch doesn't have it. The coral seems very healthy, but I'd just like to know what this is.

Thanks,
<Mark />

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My torch does this pretty regular. I think this is what you are talking about.
http://www.ericborneman.com/Coral%20Polyp%20Extrusion/Introduction/Intro.html

never seen that wt my torch

Mine does this all the time as well and it ALWAYS precedes the head splitting. I think it's just getting prepared underneath for making two heads.

And yes, Eric B. has shown this as well.

Cool! I've never had a coral do this before. How long does it take to "make the split"? It's been doing this for the last 3 months or so.

I know nothing of the mechanics of a coral "splitting". Does anyone have an online resource where I can read about it? Should I be supplementing additional calcium or just keep with the same amount?

I think I missed something. Who is Eric B?

Thanks,
<Mark />

Eric B (aka Eric Borneman) - he's basically a coral guru. He's written this book, which I can highly recommend.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1890087483.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Here's (http://www.ericborneman.com/Coral%20Polyp%20Extrusion/Introduction/Intro.html) a link to his homepage, where he shares some images of the polyp extrustions that he researches.

And here's (http://www.ericborneman.com/Coral%20Polyp%20Extrusion/Infomation.html) a link to an article talking about it. (think it might be the same one that jokeloma posted.

hmmm...just tried to check the images...looks like his server isn't working at the moment...

Oh, THAT Eric B. Yes, I have that book but didn't notice that topic. I'll try to find my answers in the book.

Thanks for taking the time to post the links. They were the same that jokeloma posted.

<Mark />