Acan fragging... – 06/14/07
Hello Crew,
<Chad>
I have 2 Acanthastrea Lord colonies that I want to frag into individual polyps. What is the best way to do so?
<See Anthony Calfo's... book on "Coral Propagation", his various articles re (many posted on the Net)... I'd be cutting a larger colony (bigger than your hand let's say), on a table/tile saw myself...>
Each colony has 5 to 7 polyps on it. I read on the website that Anthony C. had an Acan garden that is producing additional polyps in 2-3 weeks
<Mmm, seems mighty quick...>
by direct feeding. I would like to try to replicate his garden technique but I'm not sure how to split the colony up without killing/injuring the polyps.
Please point me in the right direction.
Thanks,
Chad
<Large "clippers" twixt the polyps might do here... but I'd use power tools likely... There is a bunch else to relate concerning eye-cover, assuring the health of the donor ahead of time, sterile technique... Do read thoroughly before attempting. Bob Fenner>
 

Cynarina Propagation?  3/10/07 Hello at WWM, I find your site very useful, but am stumped on turning up any info on this topic. I've attached a picture of what has quickly become my centerpiece coral - a thriving Cynarina which is probably close to double in size from when I took that picture.  I was wondering how this species propagates itself as well as if anyone has had success in any form of fragging etc, the way we can do with other corals. <Asexually splitting does occur... the animal undergoing fission... with size/growth... perhaps adversity. Purposeful fragging has proven problematical...> This one seems more delicate with the type of poofy tissue it has, so I will leave it alone for now, but I feed it every few nights and it is easily the healthiest thing in my tank - I would love to see it find a way to make babies! Thank you very kindly, Christie Lo <Mmm, I urge patience... in time it may well "split"... I would post your query on the various hobbyist BB's as well... but (as usual) take all posted there with a big bag of salt mix (not just a grain). Bob Fenner>

Brain (coral) frags, xenia repro.  - 04/19/06
Hello,
    I was wondering if it was possible, or how to, frag a brain coral.
<Can be scored, cut with a chisel et al., but best cut with a power tool that is securely mounted... a "wet-saw" for cutting tile, or a band-saw is most often employed here>
Also, once xenia starts growing all over the same rock, is it normal for it to sort of grow taller as it fights for position, the last time it started getting taller was because a bulb had burned out and they needed more light, I think.
<Happens>
I checked and all the bulbs are good and since the last burn out I have even got a new lighting system that adds about 55 watts more, they are reproducing like crazy, and fully opened all day and most of the night, so I don't think they are unhappy, but when I first got them they were shorter.  Is it because there is almost 10x the amount now versus when I bought them?   Thank you for your time.
<Maybe. Please see WWM re cnidarian culture: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm
Bob Fenner>

Acanthastrea husbandry II 5/13/05
Anthony, Thanks for the reply.
<always welcome my friend>
Since your acans double so fast, do you sell them?
<Nope... under no circumstance anymore, in fact, for any of my coral produced. My interest/time in writing, mentoring on websites like wetwebmedia.com, and traveling has cut deeply into my farming time. What I presently produce is given away most often to hobby clubs, public aquaria or the like. When possible, used in general raffles for fund-raising for the aforementioned.>
I happen to love Acans for many reasons, and am putting together an 'Acan Garden'. Brandon
<Like more than a few other Mussids, they are quite handsome. Best regards, Anthony>

Coral Frag Question 4/1/05
I have a question about a coral frag. I am new to coral fragging and farming. I have a question about a specific coral frag I just received. I just got a very rare color form of an Acanthastrea echinata coral.
<Rare is a relative term... it usually means "sucker" BTW (nefarious marketing by unscrupulous vendors.>
The frag is only about 1/2" wide. It is on a rock that is about 3/4" wide and about 3/4" tall. I need to get the coral to grow on other pieces of rock, but I'm not sure what the best approach is.
<Feed it heavily. I target feed my Acans and they double every 2-3 weeks! It is one of the fastest and hardiest corals available. The sales of such fast growing corals at high prices is just embarrassing>
If I set this rock containing the frag on another rock, the frag won't actually touch the bigger rock as it would sit about 3/4" taller than the bigger rock. What would be the best way to position this frag rock to get the Acanthastrea to spread since it is not on a flat piece of rock? Thanks.
<I literally grow mine as free living polyps on oolitic sand. I target feed them daily, and they double almost twice monthly. For more info on the price gouging sellers of these corals... do read my "Reef Trendy" article in February reefkeeping.com e-zine. Kindly, Anthony>