Anyone frag a sponge before?

[KafudaFish]

Not sure where to ask this so if a mod knows a better place please move it. Thanks.

Just curious but has anyone cut a sponge and moved it to another location?

I have some nice sponges on some large pieces of LR and I would like to seed a tank I am setting up.

I have 3 or 4 species maybe and all lay flat on the rock so they are not tube forming.

I figured all I would need to do is use a straight razor like cutting zoas and keeping them submerged during the transfer.

Anyone?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Bob Fenner says..."yes, yes you can!"

From this page: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spongesii.htm

"Reproduction:

Sponges are known to reproduce in several ways, sexual and asexual. They have several variations on "budding" and "fragmenting" themes as well as produce eggs and sperm released into the water column with meteorological and chemical cues. Some develop planktonic young, others are fertilized and develop internally.

Though sponges will spread and reproduce asexually on their own, they can be easily "fragged" by cutting off a piece of an established, stable colony and tying it to a piece of rock with a piece of fishing line. This should only be attempted with large-enough colonies and never in conditions that favor micro-algae growth."

I "accidentally" fragged a bright yellow sponge in my tank a few months ago when moving some rock around. Both pieces are still growing and look healthy.

 

[Akwarius]

Yep. Sponges are easy to frag, that is, if it already is acclimated and favorable to your system.

 

[KafudaFish]

Thanks sugar for the link. I guess I was too lazy to search.

Thanks Akwarius too.

Not sure why I did not think about it more before asking. I guess I just needed to know. Ya know?