fragging a colt coral, what went wrong?!?!

[gobrewcrew]

Last week I decided I needed to trim back a colt coral of mine. I read that it is best to trim these outside the tank since once cut they release a toxin not very healthy for other corals. I briefly took the colt out, cut one frag off, and then rinsed it off before placing him back in the tank. Overall I would guess that he was out of the tank for no more than a couple minutes. Anyway, it has been over a week now and it looks like the original colt isn't going to make it. Before the cutting it measured about 10" across, now it has shrunk to about 3" and is turning black.

Is there anyway to save it? Also, what the heck did I do wrong???

[Fly Guy]

dont sweat it yet.l.If the meat is still firm.......its just p*****. You would be too if someone cut your arm off. dotn be alarmed when it starts to shed a layer or two either...this i s normal. put it in good flow, you can turkey baste excess skin off, but dont pull it.

Now if it is soft and rotting.....you need to find tissue that is still firm....cut off and rubberband toa piece of rubble. get rid of the rotting flesh to stop the infection from spreading. I cant imagine how under the circumstances this would be the case, but sometimes fragging does go wrong.

good luck and i hope its the former

[Loverotties]

You rinsed it in saltwater right?

[Fly Guy]

any update to this??

[gobrewcrew]

I actually just rinsed it off with some ro/di water.... but it went back in my tank right after I rinsed it.

Today it looks even worse. I really don't think it is going to make it. I'll try to post pics later today.

[gobrewcrew]

its amazing but I think it will make it. It is now the size of a golfball (instead of about 8" across), but at least it looks much better.

[Fly Guy]

good to hear. next time rinse in tankwater. That probably was the reason the fragging episode was worse thn it needed to be....maybe...maybe not.

Good luck with continued improvement. Give it tons of flow. Not flesh ripping flow or anything.......but good flow

[DarthOcellaris]

i think it was because of the rodi rinse too.

[jwm32068]

Another method of attachment involves the use of a cocktail toothpick. You know the plastic ones used for olives in a martini. Stick the toothpick through the base of the frag and into a crack or small drilled hole in rubble. After a week maybe two when you see growth and attachment simply twist toothpick gently and remove. I have had problems with rubber bands on slimy corals such as colts and mushrooms. The small holes from the toothpick heal very quickly, Thanks Wade

[Wiskey]

Sweet! Glad to hear it's coming back for you

Whiskey