Scavenger, I've never fragged a coral myself but I just read in Marine Fish and Reef magazine about the problem you're having. I hope this helps.
"Soft corals, especially the colt coral (Kylxum sp.) and some genera in the family Nephtheidae that are "soft" and lack sclerite support, tend to collapse. The effect is like that of a fallen tree or wilted deciduous herb. ALthough in some cases the colony may become turgid and erect again, in most cases , the "deflation" of tissue is irreversible, and the colony rapidly deteriorates. Aquarist propagation can also cause this condition. Soft corals have large "Canals" with in the colony (called solenia) that are responsible for water flwo throughout the colony. Cutting opens these "biologically gated" canals, imparing the ability of the colony to hold water"
"Cut or broken colonies should be placed so that the damaged area is exposed to high water flow until healed. Damaged tissue should never be "planted" so that it contacts substrate or has reduced water flow. Alternately, super glue can be used to apply an "adhesive bandage" that seals the cut edges of the tissue."
Hope that's some help to you, I didn't think cutting a colt would be that bad.
Doug
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