John Miller
Mushroom corals are fast growers and can multiply by splitting and dividing into two, or by moving around the aquarium and leaving small parts behind, a process known as 'pedal laceration'. This process is called coral fission and occurs when the coral is ready to reproduce. During this process, you may see some white stringy material, which is the coral's mesenterial filaments trying to spill out. These are the internal folds of tissue that create the coral's polyp structure. If you want to manually split your mushroom coral, you can do so by using a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife to cut straight down the middle, directly through its mouth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Process of splitting | Coral fission |
| When does it occur | During the early developmental stages when they are ready to reproduce |
| What to do when the coral is splitting | Be patient and keep everything inside the aquarium stable |
| What to do after splitting | Place some netting over them to prevent any fish from nipping or laying on the coral |
| How to manually split | Use a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife to split the coral in half straight down the middle, directly through its mouth |
| How to encourage attachment to a rock/rubble | Place the cut fragments in a container with some aquarium water and rubble for a few days |
| What to feed after splitting | Something meaty like phytoplankton, brine shrimp, or mysis shrimp |
| What is coral splitting also called | Fragging |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Manually splitting mushroom coral, also known as 'fragging'
Manually splitting mushroom coral, also known as fragging, is a process that can be done in several ways. One method involves splitting the coral down the middle, which will cause it to grow back together and form one coral again. This method can be successful when using an iodide additive, which is beneficial when propagating mushrooms.
Another approach is to cut multiple pieces from the edge of the coral. While this may result in the cuts not surviving, the coral will likely recover and then split into two. It is important to note that this process can be messy, and placing the coral on a flat surface, such as a paper towel, before cutting can make it easier to manage.
Additionally, it is possible to frag mushroom corals by cutting off the head of the coral and then cutting it into multiple pieces, ensuring that each piece has a part of the mouth still attached. This method also involves some mess, and using a paper towel can help to manage this.
It is worth noting that splitting is a natural process for mushroom corals and is not something to be concerned about. It is a common occurrence during the early developmental stages when they are ready to reproduce. This process is known as coral fission, and it results in the coral multiplying and growing.
Mushrooms: Sliced but Still Alive?
You may want to see also
How to care for a splitting mushroom coral
Mushroom corals are easy to care for and are suitable for hobbyists at any level. They are hardy and can tolerate less-than-ideal reef tank parameters or conditions. They are also able to reproduce both sexually and asexually. The more common reproductive method in reef tanks is asexual fragmentation, which occurs naturally through budding or splitting, or is actively induced by the tank owner through fragging.
If your mushroom coral is splitting, it is a sign that it is ready to reproduce and you will soon be the owner of two mushroom corals. During this time, the coral may shrink and its mouth will get bigger until it separates into two individual corals. This usually takes a day or two, but it can sometimes take up to a week or even longer. You may also notice some white stringy material, which is the coral's mesenterial filaments trying to spill out. These are the internal folds of tissue that create the coral's polyp structure and are packed with stinging cells called nematocysts, so it is important not to touch them.
To care for a splitting mushroom coral, it is important to keep the conditions inside the aquarium stable. Maintain low water flow and low light, performing 5-10% water changes every 1-2 weeks. Keep the following water levels: Temperature: 76° – 82 °F, pH: 8.1 – 8.4, salinity: 1.023 – 1.025, alkalinity: 9 – 11 dKH, nitrates: <10 ppm, phosphates: <10 ppm, calcium: 350 – 450 ppm. Be patient, as splitting is a stressful time for a coral. You can also target feed your mushroom coral during this time to give it more strength and boost its recovery. Offer it something meaty like phytoplankton, brine shrimp, or mysis shrimp.
If you want to manually split your mushroom coral through fragging, first select the coral you wish to split and remove it from the aquarium. Using a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife, split the coral in half straight down the middle, directly through its mouth. Then, place the cut fragments in a container with some aquarium water and rubble, and leave them for a few days to attach and feed them meaty treats to boost their immune system. Once they are attached, place them back inside your aquarium, placing some netting over them to prevent any fish from nipping or laying on them.
Explore the Magical World of Mushroom Stews
You may want to see also
What to feed a splitting mushroom coral
While mushroom corals are splitting, it is important to keep everything inside the aquarium stable. This includes maintaining low water flow, low light, and performing small water changes every week or two.
In terms of feeding, it is recommended to target feed your mushroom coral to give it more strength and boost its recovery from splitting. Offer it something meaty like phytoplankton, brine shrimp, or mysis shrimp. You can also feed them a mixture of Benepets, Fauna Marin LPS Pellets, AquaVitro Fuel, and occasional meaty foods like Piscine Energetics Mysis or Calanus.
Mushroom corals do not have long, retractable feeding tentacles to capture prey, so they are happy to accept most fish and coral foods. They can even move themselves to a suitable spot within the aquarium if they are placed in an undesirable location.
It is important to note that exposure to high light can bleach and damage mushroom corals, so they should be kept in lower-light areas.
Destroying Mushrooms: Chemicals for Effective Removal
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The splitting process, also known as 'coral fission'
The splitting process, also known as coral fission, is a natural occurrence in mushroom corals, which are similar to sea urchins in their ability to squirt liquid. This process is an indication that the mushroom coral is ready to reproduce and multiply. During this time, the coral may exhibit aggressive behaviour, such as fighting with other corals or feeding aggressively. It is important to be cautious during this process as the coral may expel white, stringy mesenterial filaments, which are internal tissues containing stinging cells.
To manually initiate the splitting process, also known as "fragging", one must first select the mushroom coral they wish to divide and remove it from the aquarium. It is recommended to wear safety goggles or glasses to protect against any liquid that may be expelled. Using a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife, divide the mushroom coral straight down the middle, directly through its mouth. This process will result in two separate fragments of the coral.
The next step is crucial for the coral's recovery and attachment to a new surface. Place the cut fragments inside a container with aquarium water and rubble or rocks. Leave them undisturbed for several days to allow them to attach and heal. During this time, it is beneficial to provide meaty treats, such as phytoplankton, brine shrimp, or mysis shrimp, to boost their immune system and aid in recovery. Once the fragments have attached and healed, they can be carefully returned to the aquarium.
It is important to monitor the newly divided corals and provide a stable environment to reduce stress. Additionally, placing netting over the corals can prevent fish from disturbing or laying on them. While mushroom corals may move if conditions are not ideal, they can be relocated to the desired location once they have attached and healed. This process showcases the remarkable ability of mushroom corals to regenerate and reproduce through the splitting process, also known as coral fission.
Mushrooms: An Asexual Wonder of Nature
You may want to see also
How to encourage mushroom coral to split
Mushroom corals are relatively fast growers as they are very good at multiplying. This can happen in two ways: first, by splitting and dividing themselves into two, like a cell; and second, when they move around the aquarium, leaving small parts behind, a process known as "pedal laceration".
To encourage mushroom coral to split, you can try the following methods:
Stable water chemistry:
Keep the water chemistry, current, and lighting stable, along with semi-regular water changes, providing ideal conditions for reproduction.
Feed them:
You can hand-feed them frozen brine or provide nutrition through supplements like Kent Phytoplex, added in small amounts daily.
Iodide additive:
One successful coral grower shared that iodide additive has been a beneficial factor in propagating mushrooms.
Cut the coral:
You can cut the coral into pie-shaped pieces, each with a central mouth-type portion, and place them in a shallow dish with a layer of crushed coral or rubble. However, cutting the coral may be messy and stressful for the coral, so it is recommended to be patient and let the coral split on its own.
Testing Mushrooms: A Guide to Edible Identification
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Be patient and keep everything inside the aquarium stable. You can also target feed your mushroom coral something meaty like brine shrimp to boost its recovery.
Firstly, remove the mushroom coral from the aquarium. Then, using a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife, split the coral in half straight down the middle, directly through its mouth. Place the cut fragments in a container with some aquarium water and rubble and leave them for a few days. Feed them meaty treats to boost their immune system. Once they are attached, place them back inside your aquarium.
This is normal and is your coral's mesenterial filaments trying to spill out. Do not touch them as they are packed with stinging cells called nematocysts.
A dying mushroom coral will lose its coloration and become mushy. The polyps will be deflated and may even start turning white.
The process is called coral fission or "fragging".
