How should I remove this toadstool?

fredro

New member
Ive had this particular tank up and running for a little over a year. A few months into it I added a toadstool frag that I was given on trade. Basically, I just found an open crevice down lower in the tank and stuffed it in there and left it. It soon took and grew a few inches and opened up nicely. Fast forward 6-8 months to today. I am switching from a mixed reef to an SPS dominant tank and I think it's time for the toadstool to go. I read a few different things on the topic, but I didn't find too many definitive answers. I need to know what the easiest and safest way to remove the coral is. I'll attach a pic and let you know it's about 3.5-4" tall and the head is a good 4-5" across at the largest point. I have considered trying to pull it off, but it's kind of in between two rocks and I dunno how far in between the rocks the base goes. I have also heard that income of possibly cut it off. This wouldn't be the worst thing, as long as the main part of the coral will stay alive and it won't release any toxins or anything into the tank. Any suggestions/advise are greatly appreciated.
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Even if you cut it both halves will live and a new one will grow from the stump. It doesn't take much of a frag to grow a new mushroom. People take the head and cut it into 1" or less squares and glue them to a frag plug and wala new toadstool
 
Thanks. Would it be possible to pull the stump off? I'd really like it gone, more space for SPS. I'd like to not have to worry about it regrowing.
 
Sure you can pull it. I did that a few weeks ago with a HUGE Kenya tree and so far no regrowth. Give it a try and pull and twist as low as you can grab the base. I would run carbon for a while after.
 
I would just cut the coral as close to the base as you can with some sharp scissors and then smother the remaining tissue with some epoxy. This will become hard and then you'll be able to place some other corals in that exact same spot. You might be able to pull it from the rock, but once you start tugging on it there's a chance your rock structure will come tumbling down as well and this might be more trouble than it's worth. GL.
 
I rid my tank of Kenya tree coral by taking the rock out and breaking off the pieces that was on. Upon rescaping, I noticed on of those little buggers growing again. So I plopped a big turbo snail shell over it and it's slowly shrinking since it's not getting enough light. It takes a while but it's the least invasive. It may work for your toadstool.
 
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