October or November?

The spawning of the coral at the Hienga islet, in New Caledonia, is expected 5 days after the full moon in November,
(see post: http://photosub.babou-plongee.com/retransmission-de-la-ponte-du-corail-a1809640).
Observations made in previous years seem to confirm this regularity.

Two parameters are decisive: the temperature of the water which conditions the maturation of the gonads and the induction of the moon which triggers spawning.

The water temperature is particularly high this year (26 ° C since the beginning of October) and the October moon is quite late in the month. Is there a possibility that the spawning is therefore early?

The observation of the gonads on a branch of Acropora loripes shows their very clear coloring.
Their measurement (1 milimeter by graduation) also presents a fairly advanced maturation.
Even if the gonads still seem a little small these observations require the implementation of monitoring at the end of this week.

We will therefore be in the water every evening on:

Tuesday 26 Oct. (N + 3)
Wednesday 27 Oct. (N + 4)
Thursday 28 Oct. (N + 5)
Friday 29 Oct (N + 6) only if corals have laid the day before.
The follow-up will of course be ensured also in November as each year.

The bets are open ! Case to be continued ...