good point ! Mine always were more clustered and only had less then a 1” neck , is it just how they grow ?
I find different flow and placement can change how the coral grows. Higher flow it grows more compact so it maximizes flow across the polyps so it isn't sticking out. It will grow in a way to funnel the current to where it wants to maximize polyp exposure and feeding while controlling the flow.
Sitting lower in the tank in sand it branches more. So it keeps itself above the sediment so it isn't smothered and can stay in the light zone. It helps create low flow areas between the branches where sediment settle and then can be used as a food source by directly up-taking the nutrients through the cell walls.
I use wire cutters to cut mine I find they damage a little less. But crushing is part of coral defense strategy when something falls on them or a impact happens so a part can break away and survive. For LPS\sps these crumple zones in the skellaton help distribute daughter colonies and they can even be used as a form of asexual reproduction where they release enzymes to dissolve these sections so daughter colonies can drop off and get re distributed. Coral cells have specialized cells that are designed to shear away in situations like crushing or break away so the tissue doesn't tear off to much tissue. But rather tear in a jagged pattern like a zipper. Old school trick is cut the coral frag and if it is still connected leave it. It is still getting resources from the main portion and will shear the tissue when it is ready.
