Advanced Coral Fragging & Propagation Techniques

Coral fragging (fragmentation) is the technique of cutting small pieces from a healthy parent coral to grow new individuals. Following proper procedures can significantly improve success rates.

Fragging Basics & Preparation

Proper preparation is essential. Gather these tools:

• Bone cutters: Essential for cutting hard coral (SPS/LPS) skeletons
• Sharp utility knife: For cutting soft corals
• Gel-type super glue: For attaching frags to plugs. Marine-safe cyanoacrylate adhesives work best
• Frag plugs/discs: Bases for mounting cut coral pieces
• Iodine-based dip: For post-cut infection prevention

Select parent corals that are healthy and actively growing. Avoid fragging bleached, faded, or recently purchased stressed individuals.

Identifying the Optimal Cut Location

Cut location varies by coral type.

SPS Corals (Acropora, Montipora, etc.) 1. Cut 2–3 cm from the branch tip as a general rule 2. Target just above branching points for faster parent regrowth 3. Limit removal to 20–30% of the total colony per session

LPS Corals (Brain corals, Open brain, etc.) - Cut along natural skeletal boundaries - Minimize damage to polyps (tissue)

Soft Corals (Leather corals, Star polyps, etc.) - Use a clean blade to cut decisively - For leather corals, horizontal slicing of the cap is effective

Attachment & Mounting Techniques

How you mount the frag significantly affects subsequent growth.

1. Lightly sand the frag plug surface to roughen the bonding area
2. Gently blot the coral's cut surface with a paper towel
3. Apply adhesive to the plug side, press the coral on, and hold for 10–15 seconds
4. Return immediately to tank water

For large LPS frags, epoxy putty is also effective. Knead the two-part putty, wrap it around the coral to secure, and place in a low-flow area for about 30 minutes to cure.

Recovery Environment Settings

Freshly fragged corals are under significant stress. Create optimal recovery conditions:

• Reduce lighting: Lower to 60–70% of normal intensity and gradually restore over 1–2 weeks
• Reduce flow: Position the frag rack away from direct strong currents
• Stabilize water chemistry: Maintain calcium 420–450 ppm, KH 7–9 dKH, magnesium 1,300–1,400 ppm
• Amino acid supplementation: Coral-specific amino acid supplements are beneficial during recovery

Place the frag rack at a mid-to-low position in the tank and allow 2–4 weeks of recovery before moving frags to their permanent location.

Frag Rack Management

Frag racks are essential for efficiently managing multiple frags. Choose from magnetic (wall-mount), sump-based, or stand-type racks depending on your tank setup.

• Maintain adequate spacing (at least 3 cm) between frags to prevent contact
• Check frag condition weekly for signs of bleaching or tissue recession
• Once growth is confirmed (new polyp extension), move to the permanent layout

See also our Coral Tank Setup Cost Guide.

Find Corals on Bri-Choku

Bri-Choku offers a wide selection of pre-fragged corals and healthy parent colonies. Browse the coral category to find carefully cultivated corals from experienced breeders who can also provide fragging advice.