If I...Will I damage my coral?

I am getting a new coral tomorrow and I want to put it where I currently have a star polyp. I thought I might be able to just pick up the rock where the star polyp is, but it has started to grow onto the rock beside it, however, not much. What will happen if I move the polyp and split the new growth? Will it damage the coral as a whole?

 

I wouldn't worry about splitting up the colony; just cut the mat part where you need to.

 

No. You can tear or cut away the rock that holds the GSP, leaving the purple mat that has grown on the adjacent rock intact. The GSP will continue to grow in both locations. If you're putting down a coral in that old spot, though, you might want to remove all traces of GSP as it grows fast, and is known to grow right over whatever is in its way.

Good luck.