This is a continuation of Off with their heads! thread.
Basically I tested something I read on this forum about chopping the heads off zoanthids to manually produce more polyps.
I initially tested this on a adult AOG Palythoa that was sharing a plug with another adult.
This is the result of the first attempt (The cut was made close to the base of the polyp)
This is the remaining base. Its the frag plug below the strainer.
As you can see there is a nub where there is obviously color come out of it.
Night after night I checked to see how it was doing and everynight, the cut polyp, closes right when the lights go out showing me it still has a response and life.
I decided to try again with smaller polyps and a higher cut.
There are 2 polyps on this plug right next to each other. At first I thought they were gone, but they show the same light change response and have opened up more since I cut them (5 days ago).
This is the base of the two polyps I cut.
As you can see there is definately new growth where I cut.
So here is my step by step process...
I take the plug out of the tank with the desired polyp.
I take stainless steel scissors and snip anywhere below the head of the polyp (I conclude cutting higher to the head will produce more favorable results).
I place IC Gel glue on the plug and dip it 3-4 times so it starts to cure.
I gently dab the plug on the underside of the cut polyp to create a bond.
I place the plug back into the frag rack.
I dose 10mL (Capful of Iodine whatever mL that is) into the sump to help stop any infection that may occur.
I sit back and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional. I saw a thread here asking someone to try it, so I did. I encourage you all to try it hopefully with similar results. I would also like all donations of PPE to be sent to my address (PM ME). If you do try this and lose a precious polyp, Im sorry. From what I can gather, this method would be particularly useful for slow growing polyps to multiply faster so that the community can expand overall.
Basically I tested something I read on this forum about chopping the heads off zoanthids to manually produce more polyps.
I initially tested this on a adult AOG Palythoa that was sharing a plug with another adult.
This is the result of the first attempt (The cut was made close to the base of the polyp)
This is the remaining base. Its the frag plug below the strainer.
As you can see there is a nub where there is obviously color come out of it.
Night after night I checked to see how it was doing and everynight, the cut polyp, closes right when the lights go out showing me it still has a response and life.
I decided to try again with smaller polyps and a higher cut.
There are 2 polyps on this plug right next to each other. At first I thought they were gone, but they show the same light change response and have opened up more since I cut them (5 days ago).
This is the base of the two polyps I cut.
As you can see there is definately new growth where I cut.
So here is my step by step process...
I take the plug out of the tank with the desired polyp.
I take stainless steel scissors and snip anywhere below the head of the polyp (I conclude cutting higher to the head will produce more favorable results).
I place IC Gel glue on the plug and dip it 3-4 times so it starts to cure.
I gently dab the plug on the underside of the cut polyp to create a bond.
I place the plug back into the frag rack.
I dose 10mL (Capful of Iodine whatever mL that is) into the sump to help stop any infection that may occur.
I sit back and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional. I saw a thread here asking someone to try it, so I did. I encourage you all to try it hopefully with similar results. I would also like all donations of PPE to be sent to my address (PM ME). If you do try this and lose a precious polyp, Im sorry. From what I can gather, this method would be particularly useful for slow growing polyps to multiply faster so that the community can expand overall.
