Aquarium Coral

If you are successful at keeping coral, then you can learn to grow and propagate it.

The easiest corals to propagate are mushrooms, leathers and fluffies. Propagations of these corals it is as simple as cutting a piece off and securing the piece to a new piece of rock. The cutting is most commonly secured using fishing line.

Before you handle any coral it is important for you to know what it is in order to avoid handling a poisonous coral that may sting your hands such as fire coral Millepora. It is recommended to use gloves when handling live rock and coral. Corals are closely related to jellyfish and as with jellyfish, some are more poisonous then others.

If you ever are stung by a coral or fish the best thing to do is place it under hot running water, which will break down the neurotoxins.

When propagating leather coral, it more important to ensure that the cut surface is pointed towards the direction of the water flow instead of securing the cut surface to the rock. There will be less chance of developing an infection and the healthy uncut surface will be able to attach to the rock faster. The damaged side will heal faster if allowed adequate water flow. This also applies for acropora, even a stag will attach faster if the healthy side is the point of contact.

When ever you are cutting a piece of coral ensure that there is ample room around the cut so it is not stung by surrounding specimens as the coral will be week at this time. Be wary of fish such as Angels that may pick on the damaged coral.

Warning, never cut a mushroom, fluffy or anemone out of the water. Cut them submerged in a shallow bowl of water from your tank. Cutting a mushroom coral out of the water could result in being sprayed with poisonous neurotoxins.

Propagating stony corals is it just a matter or cutting them with a hacksaw or ban saw. After the stony coral has been cut you can towel dry the bottom of it and superglue it to a larger rock to safely secure it. Allow the glue to set before returning it to the water.

Most corals can safely be removed from the water for a period of a few hours. Have at least 14 times per hour water flow in any tank that you wish to propagate coral in and pay attention to iodine levels. Maintaining an iodine level of 0.06pp when propagating will decrease the instances of bacterial infection among the new corals.

If you were to breed the coral it would be quite a long period of time until you have specimens ready to sell. When they are propagated they will often be ready in as little as 3 months.

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