Colt fragging question
 

I have what I will call a Colt Coral for now (see picture on my site) This thing grows like mad, and I have been trying to frag it. The unfortunate thing is that I cannot get it to anchor. The first we tried was an elastic band. It just cut through, and made two frags. I then got some rubble, and tried to wedge it. It just wiggles out. Then I tried putting it on top of a piece of rubble, and piling rubble on top. It just squeezes out, and floats free. I have recently taken a small plastic container, and put rubble in that, and the frag in between. The frag is still there, but I have no idea if it is anchoring. Does anyone else have any ideas? The stuff drives me insane. :roll: :roll:

Hi Bob,

Try taking a toothpic and sticking it through the stock horizontally and elastic both ends loosely to the substrate of choice. Leaving it in a rubble container in a low flow area will also work but I would suspect a little current on the healing frag would be good. There are a few other options that work but the problem with the slippery softies is they tend to work there way off of many different methods. The above method will work best if you remember not to strap the toothpic down to hard so it cuts through you frag base.

Try using an old net or bridal veil type material and then using a rubberband lightly around. This works well for me..

Des

Bob,
In the past I have sewn my colt frags onto rocks.
I took the rock I wanted it on and drilled two small holes through the rock and just sewed the frag in an X pattern.

Bob, I have the same Coral as you. I do not really belive it's the Colt either. It looks simular but has a very soft base. But anyhow I just use sewing wool and tie it nice and firm... too soft and she floats away... too firm and you got another frag :roll: . Done this maybe 10-15x's with much success. The jabbing it with a toothpick for this Coral is totally unnecessary.

Mak,
Sorry but I don't understand your comment about the toothpic.

My Sprung book would probably call it Cladiella sp. and Colt Coral is one of the many names. I don't quite understand how you would use the wool. I have tried Jamie's toothpick, and will see what happens.

Jamie,
I just meant it is easier too just simply tie this kind of Coral down... well for me it was :shock: :wink: .

Bob,
Sorry I don't know why I said Colt, I meant Sinularia.

For the mounting I just tied two strings around the rock/rubble in an X. And Yarn not Wool .

PS, Really late night last night... think I had way too many drinks :shock: :roll: .

I know how hard it can be to mount a stubborn colt frag. I tried it all but the toothpick worked the best for me. Get this, I couldn't even spear mine horizontally and jam the toothpick in the rock. Eventually it just split at the bottom and floated away! I got aggressive, almost mean. I just jammed the toothpick right through the sucker as if I wanted to kill it, shoved the ends of the toothpicks inside holes in 2 pieces of LR, then squeezed the LR together until the colt was almost flattened. This way both the 2 pieces of LR, AND the toothpick kept it in place. It didn't budge after that! Eventually it just grew up and out. Sounds mean, but it worked for me :)

I am kind of wondering what would happen if you just let them do their thing, and just land where they want. Would they eventually anchor somewhere, or just carry on a free floating life :?: :?: