Shaded branches of acropra...

[Staceon]

I have a acropra sp. that has been doing well in my tank for about 6 months. It has grown to about 6 to 8 inches tall. The top part has branched out, leaving a branch underneath this canopy, in effect shading it. There is little to no polyp extension on this shaded branch.

I was wanting to possibly frag this shaded branch since it would make a nice piece elsewhere in my tank with it being about 2 inches. But will fraging this branch hurt the entire colony? Will the broken off part heal back in the absence of light? Will the branch thats fraged make a recovery?

I am sorry I cant give you the species name for the acro, but it has green polyps and VERY bushy looking. Meaning you cant even see branches because the polyps are extended so well. So I guess I am afraid I will cause more harm than good. What do you think?

[tubs]

As long as you fully believe you have a healthy coral, you should be able to do this. I haven't lost a colony yet due to fragging of which by the way is a natural propragation method in the wild.

If you say it has been shaded, place the frag lower in the tank at first to acclimate to brighter lighting. There are also commercial dips available to treat the coral as a preventive measure for infections. Usually, broken points do grow back if there is sufficient lighting.

HTH,
John Susbilla
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tubs@firstworld.net


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[Sue Truett]

Staceon, I would go ahead and frag the branch that is being shaded. I would also slowly acclimate it to the brighter light as has been mentioned. If this is a healthy colony, as it sure sounds like it is, fragging a branch here or there will not hurt it. I have a colony of acro. nana, and this colony kept falling over and every time a branch would break, well I ended up with frags and the place the branches broke completely healed over. I had not had this colony as long as your colony. But I would not hesitate to frag a branch, just think how awesome it will look when acclimated in the other place you were talking about in your tank. I think it helps these corals to have a branch fragged now and then. Helps with the current through the coral, lighting needs, as this may help any branches that are below the one you are fragging. Let us know how it goes!!!!

[marine machine]

what if you fraged the branch that is doing the shading, since its closer to the top and you will have to frag it sooner or latter any way. just a thought. you could frag either one without much risk. thats how they prosper in the wild.
good luck