cutting off some coral

[backprop]

Hi all, I was looking for advice and wanted to offer some coral to anybody who wanted it. I have two giant toadstool leather corals in my 30 gal tank. They were grown from very small frags several years ago. It's gotten to the point where they're colliding with the glass, each other, and my other corals, and it they really haven't stopped growing.

I've given away small pieces over the years, but I think it would be time to cut them back a little bit more. First of all, is this a good idea? Or will they eventually 'sense' getting crowded, and stop growing? Second, how much can I take off at a time? They're probably a good 9" or so across the top when extended, and maybe 6" or more tall. I've harvested plenty of green polyp, but these are so much "meatier" that I wanted to make sure it was OK before cutting them back.

Third, if it is a good idea to cut, anybody is welcome to have the frags. They're pretty corals IMO but I know they're not particularly rare, but let me know if interested.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[jmaschh]

I'm not sure if they're safe to cut or not, but put me down for first in line for one if you end up getting rid of some. The only coral I lost was my toadstool in the move from my 55 to my 125 and would love to get a replacement.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[McBeck]

I've never fragged these, but I understand they will grow from a teeny little remnant, so I think you're ok to frag.

I do know you should remove them from the display for the fragging. The slime and "blood" they release when fragged can foul the tank and irritate your other corals.

 

[backprop]

OK, so I can put them in e.g. a bowl, frag them there, and then put them back into my aquarium? Unfortunately I don't have another tank. I'd only do one at a time of course.

 

[Leo10988]

I guess you can frag it on a separete tank and leave it alone for sometime

 

[ol'saltybastage]

the nice thing about toadstools is you can practically butcher them and they live. I had one that got pretty big and I just lobbed it off about 1/3 up the stalk then cut the head and remaining pieces into pie shaped pieces.

 

[Kathy55g]

What color is it?

 

[backprop]

It's just sort of a beige with green polyps. I'll get a picture when the lights come on.

Also, I just cut a good size piece off the head of one of them. I saved a piece to see if it will make a good frag or two.

If it all goes well, I'll do the other one another day.

There was actuallya pretty good Q/A on wetwebmedia about cutting leathers. They recommed going around the perimeter of the cap, which is what I did, about 1/3 of the way around.

 

[hagfish]

I would like a frag if you have any left over.

 

[backprop]

Embarassed about my dirty glass



I cut the guy on the right. You can see the frag on the left side perched on a rock. Both seem to be doing nicely. The frag could easily be cut in half .

jmaschh if you want it, I'm near Webster Groves. Tomorrow is bad unless you come pretty early in the morning. Otherwise I'm home some evenings each week. PM me if you want to pick it up.

hagfish I'll let you know if there's any left over. If not you can have a piece from the other guy.

 

[jmaschh]

PM sent

 

[dynamitedj]

i might be interested.