How do I frag this duncan?

[kevgib67]

I stopped counting heads on this duncan because there are so many. It is not a branching duncan. I have fragged candy coral, torches, hammers, frogspawn and sps but this duncan has flesh connecting to every head without any bare skeleton. My fear is cutting through the flesh would possibly introduce a bacterial infection. Anyone have an idea how this could be done without harming the coral.

 

[DanyL]

Been there, done that - and survived

That said, it’s the most terrible experience to frag it, because you do end up splicing or injuring heads in the process, but they all do survive, even if it can take awhile for them regrow.

The key is to dip them in iodine right after the fragging and following their condition afterwards, if needed - another dip of iodine is usually enough.

I’ve cut mine many times over the years, and I honestly don’t recall any mortalities, even with the most injured heads that fell apart into pieces - it fused back together and regrown.

 

[kevgib67]

Been there, done that - and survived

That said, it’s the most terrible experience to frag it, because you do end up splicing or injuring heads in the process, but they all do survive, even if it can take awhile for them regrow.

The key is to dip them in iodine right after the fragging and following their condition afterwards, if needed - another dip of iodine is usually enough.

I’ve cut mine many times over the years, and I honestly don’t recall any mortalities, even with the most injured heads that fell apart into pieces - it fused back together and regrown.

Thank you, that gives me confidence. What do you use to cut it. My other corals I use a dremel with a diamond blade. I always have Lugol’s iodine on hand.

 

[DanyL]

Thank you, that gives me confidence. What do you use to cut it. My other corals I use a dremel with a diamond blade. I always have Lugol’s iodine on hand.

This is exactly what I use to cut mine too.

What I usually try to do is to make a deep cut from the side between 2 heads (along the line where they split, even if there isn’t any outline on the body), deep enough to be able to wedge a knife and make a split.
But it isn’t always possible, and in that case I do cut from the top, and than split from there.

I refrain from using bone cutters unless its absolutely required, because they tend to smash the coral rather than cut through it.

I also always try to keep at least 2 or more healthy heads in the middle of the new frag, meaning they won’t get injured in the process. It may be anecdotal, but I’ve found those to regrow and heal much faster than the others, especially when spot fed once a day.

 

[kevgib67]

This is exactly what I use to cut mine too.

What I usually try to do is to make a deep cut from the side between 2 heads (along the line where they split, even if there isn’t any outline on the body), deep enough to be able to wedge a knife and make a split.
But it isn’t always possible, and in that case I do cut from the top, and than split from there.

I refrain from using bone cutters unless its absolutely required, because they tend to smash the coral rather than cut through it.

I also always try to keep at least 2 or more healthy heads in the middle of the new frag, meaning they won’t get injured in the process. It may be anecdotal, but I’ve found those to regrow and heal much faster than the others, especially when spot fed once a day.

Thanks again.

 

[DanyL]

Not sure why the image didn’t load before, but now hat I see it - it isn’t the densely growing type I thought you were talking about.

It is actually fairly easy to frag, and you should be able to keep all heads intact without injuring them if you are cutting them in clumps of heads.

What I usually do with this type is to cut the group of heads from the side, but instead of between the heads - I cut it horizontally, and than with the same technique I described above - I simply wedge a knife in the cut and split it.

After cutting a clump of heads, you can easily than split them if wanted from the bottom side.

The flat cut on the mother colony will regrow in time, although I do try to shape it somewhat naturally, because otherwise it may look weird later on.

 

[Reefering1]

A band saw will likely cause less damage to flesh. I'd would probaly cut here..

 

[kevgib67]

A band saw will likely cause less damage to flesh. I'd would probaly cut here..

Thanks for the info, I’ve been so reluctant.

 

[Reefering1]

Thanks for the info, I’ve been so reluctant.

Red would be cut 1, yellow lines are cuts 2 & 3.. then as Danyl said...

 

[Reefering1]

Or are you trying to cut more than that?

 

[kevgib67]

Or are you trying to cut more than that?

I’m thinking about half, it grows so fast.

 

[KrisReef]

I’m thinking about half, it grows so fast.

Honestly, If you can take it off the rock it is sitting on, take it out to the garage and drop it on the floor.

"Crazy" -right.

In nature frags happen when corals get dislodged. The breaks happen at the naturally weak points. Keep what you want, and trade in the rest.

Ask me how I know this works. I am so clumsy. IF you have a finished floor, a towel on the floor may help keep things clean and from flying about. Drop it flat from 4 feet! Post a video for bonus points. :cool:

 

[kevgib67]

Honestly, If you can take it off the rock it is sitting on, take it out to the garage and drop it on the floor.

"Crazy" -right.

In nature frags happen when corals get dislodged. The breaks happen at the naturally weak points. Keep what you want, and trade in the rest.

Ask me how I know this works. I am so clumsy. IF you have a finished floor, a towel on the floor may help keep things clean and from flying about. Drop it flat from 4 feet! Post a video for bonus points. :cool:

You are probably right, I always get a kick out of your posts, don’t stop!

 

[DanyL]

Honestly, If you can take it off the rock it is sitting on, take it out to the garage and drop it on the floor.

"Crazy" -right.

In nature frags happen when corals get dislodged. The breaks happen at the naturally weak points. Keep what you want, and trade in the rest.

Ask me how I know this works. I am so clumsy. IF you have a finished floor, a towel on the floor may help keep things clean and from flying about. Drop it flat from 4 feet! Post a video for bonus points. :cool:

Been there and accidentally done that. Too. :grinning-face-with-sweat:

Not with the Duncan, but with some acros and other branching LPS, and yes - it worked surprisingly well. But I don’t know if thats a technique I will be comfortable preaching lol

 

[KrisReef]

Been there and accidentally done that. Too. :grinning-face-with-sweat:

Not with the Duncan, but with some acros and other branching LPS, and yes - it worked surprisingly well. But I don’t know if thats a technique I will be comfortable preaching lol

Most people take the surgical route but a dropped frag is parted in the right places.

:upside-down-face:

 

[KrisReef]

And for the love of Pete, don't forget the video!

You can post it on line and compete with those average folks at BRS.

 

[DanyL]

Most people take the surgical route but a dropped frag is parted in the right places.

:upside-down-face:

I’ve heard blender works wonders too.. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[KrisReef]

I’ve heard blender works wonders too.. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

Blender can be used for anemone propagation, but it's not worth it. Too difficult to clean up afterwards, and might make your drinks taste funny?

 

[kevgib67]

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Been there and accidentally done that. Too. :grinning-face-with-sweat:

Not with the Duncan, but with some acros and other branching LPS, and yes - it worked surprisingly well. But I don’t know if thats a technique I will be comfortable preaching lol

Me fragging my Walt Disney colony