Fragging a gorgonian

[NanoReefaholic]

Well I just got done fragging and thought I'd share. Here's a purple gorgonian that opened right up. As those of you who have a photosynthetic gorgonia such as this you know all too well they grow fast and need fragging.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/NanoReefaholic/purple.jpg

Fragging is easy enough,

use a cutting shear to trim to size
remove a small amount of tissue from the axis (core) at the bottom
drill a hole large enough for the frag's axis to fit into the plug or lr
apply your krazy glue gel to the hole
insert the axis through the krazy glue into the hole
hole under water for a few seconds for the glue to set.If you did it right 10 min later you'll see it open, well if you're lucky. Keep in mind that you do not want any of the axis exposed after the fragging is done. The 'core' will become overgrown with algae (and yes it will happen) and eventually cause stress or even the demise of the coral. If you have any die off of tissue on the tips of the coral remove the exposed core.

Here's a link to Reefkeeping magazine (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-10/fotm/index.php) about fragging a gorgonia.

While I had my camera out I thought I'd snap this as well.

Green Kenya Tree,

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/NanoReefaholic/greenkenya.jpg

[vaporize]

Thanks for sharing, I am more interested to know the 'photosynethic' gorgonians available :)

[NanoReefaholic]

These are the types of photosynthetic gorgonia that I see around.

Muriceopis flavida
- Sea Plume, Feather gorgonia, Purple bush/brush. Usually purple, gray, brown, or yellow.

Pterogoria sp.
- Sea blade, Sea whip, Ribbon gorgonia. Usually brown, gray, olive, orange, purple, yellow.

Eunicea succinea
- Candelabrum Gorgonia, Spiny Gorgonia. Tend to be brown.

[icyuod2]

95% of gorgonia's are photosynthetic.

here is by far, hands down the easiest gorgonia to care for.

the corky finger coral. i've had mine in a 30g (mh175 for over 2 years now.) they are available in much nicer colors also.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/icyuod2/IMG_5519.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/icyuod2/glassshrimp.jpg

[NanoReefaholic]

Actually there are quite a few non photosynthetic gorgonian's, most from the Caribbean are photosynthetic whereas most that are not come from the Indo-Pacific.

Here's another read (http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/zoo/inverts/softcorals/gorgonia/gorgonia.htm) for the types of gorgonia and their corresponding latin name.

[NanoReefaholic]

I just fragged my yellow gorgonia.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/NanoReefaholic/pic114.jpg

I forgot to mention that when mounting frags the rods shouldn't touch. If they do the gorgonians will fuse together. Pulling them apart will expose the axis of one of the rods.

[vaporize]

Thanks for sharing, this is good info :) I assume all of these are photosynetic specimens?

[NanoReefaholic]

Yep, the two I posted are. It's easier to hook people if you give them a photosynthetic one to start off :bounce1:

[vaporize]

so when are you selling them bud? ;)

[NanoReefaholic]

The purple frags were sold before I posted this, actually before I even fragged them. The yellow I'll be selling soon after they have a little bit to recover.

Just a note to everyone, if you're interested in getting a frag please don't ask for one by posting here. I'd prefer you either send a pm or wait until I post them in the classifieds because, well this isn't the classified section. Thanks.