Fragging, Branching and other Coral keywords?

Raibaru · 09/17/2006, 04:05 PM

I know what fraging is and I imagine a branching coral just means that it has the primary body and the fleshy parts grow on branches instead of the base.

But what does all of this mean in the long run? I notice Frags tend to be cheaper then larger corals but is there any reason for this? Is it because Frags never get to the same size, coloration and such as the original host they came from? Or are they just more of a gamble because you are dealing with a young, vulnerable creature as opposed to an established one?

I also notice a lot of corals come on either small pieces of live rock or sometimes even very large pieces. How easy is it to take corals off of these rocks without damaging them? I've read tricks for Anemones like spraying the foot with a powerhead and then gently prying, but do these work for corals?

I am a long ways from coral keeping, but I only ask because I've designed my rock work in a way that I find enjoyable and don't know how to plan ahead for eventual corals that come attached to live rock and such. I also dont know if its best to deal only with frags, or with larger corals for a beginner and such.

boxfishpooalot · 09/17/2006, 04:32 PM

But what does all of this mean in the long run? I notice Frags tend to be cheaper then larger corals but is there any reason for this? Is it because Frags never get to the same size, coloration and such as the original host they came from? Or are they just more of a gamble because you are dealing with a young, vulnerable creature as opposed to an established one

They are cheaper because they break off a piece from the main colony, grow it to 1" or bigger, then sell a small coral. The mother colony grows its broken area back in time.unlimited profit.a coral is based on size,color and rarity.

Frags will grow just as big as the mother colony. There is no difference.

It happens in nature too, hurricanes break off a coral "frag" and that grows where it lands.eventually growing as big as its supposed to get.

You could make an unlimited number of fragments from a coral, providing it keeps growing back the broken part. Which they do.

and they make very good profit this way, especially coral farms in the ocean.

Raibaru · 09/17/2006, 05:40 PM

And what about the branching variety? I notice a lot of Frogspawn and Torches I see on various websites are labeled "branching Frogspawn" and the like. Can you just break one of the branches off so you have a small base and a nice top? Or will the base of the broken off piece eventually grow like a stalk and branch again?

Sorry if all this is basic stuff, why i'm posting here instead of the coral forums

Just trying to get a picture in my mind on what things might look like a year from now.

09/17/2006, 04:05 PM	#1
Raibaru Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 979	Fragging, Branching and other Coral keywords? I know what fraging is and I imagine a branching coral just means that it has the primary body and the fleshy parts grow on branches instead of the base. But what does all of this mean in the long run? I notice Frags tend to be cheaper then larger corals but is there any reason for this? Is it because Frags never get to the same size, coloration and such as the original host they came from? Or are they just more of a gamble because you are dealing with a young, vulnerable creature as opposed to an established one? I also notice a lot of corals come on either small pieces of live rock or sometimes even very large pieces. How easy is it to take corals off of these rocks without damaging them? I've read tricks for Anemones like spraying the foot with a powerhead and then gently prying, but do these work for corals? I am a long ways from coral keeping, but I only ask because I've designed my rock work in a way that I find enjoyable and don't know how to plan ahead for eventual corals that come attached to live rock and such. I also dont know if its best to deal only with frags, or with larger corals for a beginner and such.

09/17/2006, 04:32 PM	#2
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	But what does all of this mean in the long run? I notice Frags tend to be cheaper then larger corals but is there any reason for this? Is it because Frags never get to the same size, coloration and such as the original host they came from? Or are they just more of a gamble because you are dealing with a young, vulnerable creature as opposed to an established one They are cheaper because they break off a piece from the main colony, grow it to 1" or bigger, then sell a small coral. The mother colony grows its broken area back in time.unlimited profit.a coral is based on size,color and rarity. Frags will grow just as big as the mother colony. There is no difference. It happens in nature too, hurricanes break off a coral "frag" and that grows where it lands.eventually growing as big as its supposed to get. You could make an unlimited number of fragments from a coral, providing it keeps growing back the broken part. Which they do. and they make very good profit this way, especially coral farms in the ocean. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/17/2006, 05:40 PM	#3
Raibaru Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 979	And what about the branching variety? I notice a lot of Frogspawn and Torches I see on various websites are labeled "branching Frogspawn" and the like. Can you just break one of the branches off so you have a small base and a nice top? Or will the base of the broken off piece eventually grow like a stalk and branch again? Sorry if all this is basic stuff, why i'm posting here instead of the coral forums Just trying to get a picture in my mind on what things might look like a year from now.