Moving Mushroom Corals

[ldmk]

I have two separate "mushroom rocks" - rocks that came with a bunch of mushroom corals on them. The problem is that the mushrooms have really grown quite a bit (that not the problem ) and now they are starting to crowd each other. The smaller ones can't open out all the way and some are ending up under others - which can't be very good for the zooanthelle (which I understand is photosynthetic).

My question is: is it possible to get mushroom corals to move off their rocks onto other rocks? Or will Mr. Darwin step in and take care of the overcrowding?

Thanks in advance.

K.M.

if you weant to you can cut the heads off dab superglue on them and place on another rock...the take bridal vail and wrap them up in that and replace in another part of the tank..

[wildthings44]

I would just like to add, that if you leave anything of the shroom behind it will grow into a whole new shroom! (and I have to tell you that it's really hard not to leave something behind...) The shrooms will also pop off the rock and turn up in some of the most inconvenient places! (I have found them under rocks....)

[ldmk]

Originally posted by wildthings44
I would just like to add, that if you leave anything of the shroom behind it will grow into a whole new shroom! (and I have to tell you that it's really hard not to leave something behind...) The shrooms will also pop off the rock and turn up in some of the most inconvenient places! (I have found them under rocks....)

So are you saying that when things get really crowed on a rock they will actually detach and move elsewhere?

Also, if I do want to cut off the tops and attach them as suggested by mnreefman is there any recommended way of doing it? (Other than carefully ) For example, do I have to cut the heads off under water, with an extremely sharp knife, with an Exacto knife, etc?

Will regular old Superglue work or is there any special recommended type (I've read about "Zap" but don't know if that's worth getting).

Thanks in advance.

K.M.

[ldmk]

Originally posted by mnreefman
if you weant to you can cut the heads off dab superglue on them and place on another rock...the take bridal vail and wrap them up in that and replace in another part of the tank..

I just realized I'm not sure which ones I'm wrapping in bridal veil - the ones that I just Superglued or the stem that was left behind?

Thanks again.

K.M.

the caps you cut off

[Big Dave]

Short of getting out a hammer and chisle, cutting is the best method (and the only one I use). The frags I trade are usually one that have fallen off and I attach them to a small 'frag rock' for trading purposes. When I cut them off, I will take the entire rock out of the water if it is a managable task - ie... it won't cause a rockslide by moving the rock, or it isn' too big of a rock. Normally, I will use a smooth pairing knife from the dollar store. If it gets a little rusty over time, no big loss - I just go buy another. Careful though - I have had shrooms squirt water at me when I'm cutting them off the rocks!! Talk about making you jump! I use the veil method without the super glue though, just make sure the veil holes are smaller than your shroom. HTH

-Big Dave

[uurt]

Foobuddah needs to jump on this one. His are rweoing like weeds. They over lap, cover each other, hang under the rocks, in hi flow, low flow, med flow, hi in the tank, low in the tank, front, back and sides. They free float, and attach where they will.; Mine sprout (or maybe it should be drop) babies, then move away to give they yunguns more room.

Lee


Hey bro, chime in here.

Lee

[foobuddha]

You rang?

Yes, it's true, I have 'shrooms growing everywhere. In general, I just let them grow where they will. When a colony gets over populated, caps tend to pop off. I'll either let them float free or I put a small breeder enclosure in the tank with peice or two of base rock for them to attach to.

If you need to get them off a particular rock, you can point a powerhead at the base. That will make them uncomfortable and cause them to release (you can help that along with a little steady pressure from a blunt instrument).

If you cut the caps off, the foot will grow a new one (within days it seems). I've had 'shrooms spread through pedal lacerations, bi-lateral fission and just popping thier tops. I've also chopped up heads to share the wealth with success. Just cut them up like a pie across the mouth, and voila one 'shroom becomes 4, 6, 8 etc.

[ldmk]

Excellent. I think I'll try the powerhead and blunt instrument pressure first - because I'm just a little tense about the cutting their heads off thing - makes me feel a little too much like Henry VIII

I am looking forward to having them spread out a little bit more. Any suggestions on what to use to glue them into place - will regular Superglue work?

K.M.

[uurt]

Actually, I wouldn't glue them. place where you want them, put bridal veil over them and they'll reattach by themselves, IF THEY ARE HAPPY IN THAT SPOT, otherwise, let them drift. They'll move themselves to a new location. This also promotes pedal laceration, a form of reproduction with 'shrooms.


HTH, Lee

[foobuddha]

Mushrooms are really tough to glue as they are so slimy. Bridal veil works, but as I said, I like to place them in a little breeder box with some rock (when I don't just let them float around).

As far as giving them the Anne Bolynn (sp?) treatment goes, these guys are pretty tough and recover quickly. I once massacred one pretty badly (it was in an inaccessible spot) and instead of two shrooms (cap and foot) I ended up with about 6.