Sick Kenya Tree Coral

[R1Bill]

I have a 6"x6" Kenya Tree Coral with two branches that are degenerating at the tips. Does anybody know what to do with this? Cut off the branches? Frag the healthy branches? And, if I should frag the thing, how do I secure the peices. Hope not, this thing is awesome. It's been in the tank for over a year and has been doing great.

Thanks,

Bill

[dark horge]

Capnella sp., right, Bill?


Their diet is said to be largely phytoplankton, and indeed, disintegration with opportunistic necrosis is one result of starvation.

Fragging is easy, clean slice through the healthy branch, then you use fishing line and needle to pierce the base of the branch and then tie it to a rock anchor (firmly, but not too tightly: you don't want the line to cut through tissue, haha).

You want a good, prolonged rinse of the frag right after the cut, and pretty good circulation for the tied frag for days after.

*I've tried using scissors to frag --with only-slightly less success.
Attachment in 3-15 days, usually

[R1Bill]

horge,

thanks. Kenya Tree - Capnella Imbricata. i've been feeding a lot until about 2 weeks ago when i had some problems with the sps and put in carbon and a polyfilter (tm). guess that it's time to take the filters out and i'll try first to cut off the sick branches and start feeding my blender mush again. it has been growing like crazy and has had quite a few babies.

bill

[Alice]

Bill,

Is it just the tips of two branches? When my Capnella gets ready to "frag" itself by dropping branches it looks like heck for a few days, as if it's saving energy and gathering itself for the big event.

At any rate, fragging the coral won't hurt it any and better safe than sorry.

Alice

[Deborah]

Hey Alice:

Do you remember the big Capnella in the center of my 10 gallon? It got tall enough that the branches were at the surface of the tank. Over the last month or so the Capnella is tipping over and leaning sideways (the trunk looks like a Doug Fir on a slowly sliding hillside, if you know what I mean). Do you think it will do ok this way? Or do I need to find it a taller home?

Deborah

[ckreef]

Originally posted by dark horge
*I've tried using scissors to frag --with only-slightly less success.

I read somewhere recently that using scissors was not a good way to cut off a frag. The shearing action is not a clean cut.

The suggested method was w/ a new razor blade. Make sure you clean it good first because alot of companys coat them with oil so they don't rust.

Charles

[Alice]

Deb;

I'm not sure how many contortions softies will go through to stay under the water..hard corals will obtain all kinds of interesting shapes.

Frag that puppy up and sell them to Woody or cut off some frags for yourself and sell the big colony to him or trade for some new stuff

I know exactly what you mean on the doug fir.

Alice