How to Cut Soft Coral

More and more aquarists are keeping corals. However, it is still extremely unusual for corals to sexually reproduce in captivity. Many species of coral can be propagated asexually. In the case of corals, this means that a piece of coral can be cut off and will grow into a new coral. One of the critical skills to propagate coral in this manner is cutting them correctly. With a bit of patience, skill and practice a hobbyist can learn to correctly cut coral.

Things You'll Need

  • Tissue scissors (for soft coral), available at online pet shops
  • Bone cutter (for hard coral), available at online pet shops
  • Monofilament nylon fishing line
  • Coral putty, available at high-end pet shops or online
  • Small live rock fragments
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Instructions

    • 1

      Research your particular coral. There are many types of coral. Some reproduce by cutting while others are best left to bud on their own.

    • 2

      Locate a bud off the parent coral. In some species, a branch can be cut off directly while in others a specific bud must be found.

    • 3

      Using tissue scissors for soft coral or bone cutters for hard coral, cut the bud or branch off at the base of the bud. Use a single decisive motion; repeated scissoring will shred the coral and kill it.

    • 4

      Tie the coral bud to a small piece of live rock with fishing line. Tie it tight enough that it will not drift away, but not so tight that the filament cuts the coral. You could also try using coral putty to secure the polyp.

    • 5

      Place the polyp in a position where it will get adequate light and water current for its species. Keep the water conditions optimal in the tank to allow the polyp to recover and attach itself to its base.

    • 6

      Once the polyp has attached itself to the rock, you can safely remove the fishing line.