Coral Frags 101 — Basics of Fragment Trading

A coral "frag" is a small fragment cut from a larger coral colony. The term comes from the English word "fragment," and frag trading is an extremely popular form of commerce among coral enthusiasts and breeders.

What Is Frag Trading?

Corals can grow new individuals from properly cut fragments. Frag trading leverages this property—fragments are cut from a mother colony and glued to small plugs (bases) for sale.

Benefits of Frag Trading

• Affordable acquisition — Cheaper than buying whole colonies (starting from about 1,000-5,000 yen)
• High collectibility — Build a diverse collection for modest amounts
• Minimal coral damage — Mother colonies are preserved while propagating
• Environmental adaptation — Small corals acclimate more easily to new environments

How Frags Are Made

Coral fragging is performed by breeders and experienced hobbyists. The basic procedure is:

1. Cut — Use coral cutters or band saws to remove a fragment from the mother colony
2. Glue — Attach to frag plugs using coral-safe gel-type super glue
3. Recover — Keep in low light, gentle flow for 2-4 weeks while cut surfaces heal
4. Ship — Ready for shipping once polyps begin extending and the frag has attached to the plug

Purchase Checklist

When buying frags, verify the following:

1. Polyp condition — Are polyps fully extended? Closed individuals require caution
2. Plug attachment — Is the frag firmly attached to the plug?
3. Signs of bleaching — Has color faded? Are zooxanthellae depleted?
4. Size — Check frag size in the listing. Extremely small frags (about 1cm) can be difficult to grow
5. Mother colony photo — Request photos of the mother colony to see what the grown specimen will look like

Growing Frags

Don't place purchased frags under intense light immediately. Position them in the lower part of the tank or in shade, gradually moving them to their final position over 1-2 weeks. With stable water quality, you'll see visible growth within a few months.

Frag Trading on Bri-Choku

On Bri-Choku, coral breeders list numerous frags. Many include mother colony photos and days since cutting. Use the messaging feature to ask about growth projections and care conditions for a confident purchase.