There are different propagation
techniques for different corals. This guide will give various corals
and some tips for propagating them:
Acropora: Acropora
can be fragged depending on how you want it to grow. One can almost
train or "Bonsai" an acropora into different growth patterns.
If you want the acro to grow more spindly, cut a segment off, and
glue it with super glue gel, so that it points its axial coralite
(the tip) towards the light. Be sure to cover all the exposed skeleton
with super glue to protect the coral from infections and diseases.
If you want the coral to grow bushy, and grow more branches (thus
increasing the amount of coral much more rapidly), cut a segment of
the coral and glue it so it points slightly downward from horizontal.
All the radial coralites facing the light, will become axial coralites,
and the same coral will grow numerous branches at the same rate it
would grow one branch. Either glue the exposed skeleton or place it
in high flow so it can heal the wound without becoming infected.
Leathers: Leathers
can be cut with anything sharp- scissors, razor blade, or a sharp
knife. You can nearly cut off any section of the leather that has
feeding polyps. The tricky part is getting it to re-attach. Super
glue gel doesn't adhere to the slimy coral very well at all. Some
methods of re-attachment include- Setting the piece in some crushed
coral in moderate flow so it can attach to the gravel on its own.
When it does, you can super glue that to your rocks. Or, setting a
larger rock on a section of the fragment in the location you want
it to attach. In time, the coral will adhere. Though it may adhere
to both rocks.
Zoanthids: Zoanthids
are matting corals. That is, they can only grow outward from their
outside edge. For fast propagation of zoanthid, a single polyp can
be cut off with a razor blade near its base where it mats. If you
can cut some of the matting, all the better. A single polyp can grow
in a 360 degree direction.
Euphyllia: Euphyllia,
(paradivisa- the branching type) can be broken per branch where the
branches connect at the skeleton. Divisa species cannot be broken
without risking the death of the coral. The tissue would be ripped
resulting in death.
Brains: Many
brains can be cut that you would never think possible. It does however
put stress on the coral. Platygyra can be chiseled in sections, and
I have never seen one recede yet. Trachyphyllia and lobophyllia's
are a different story. Trying to break apart the lobes that have one
feeding mouth, can easily kill them. Favia and Favites can be broken
much similar to the platygyra's. Take a flat head screwdriver and
lay the coral on a hard surface. Hit the screwdriver with a hammer
and strategically brake the coral into sections.