Gorgonians are some of the first captive grown corals. They have been very hardy and they all grow into large show corals. They need moderate to strong current. Here we explain you how to grow gorgonians and basic steps of the gorgonian propagation.
[google_adsense_in_post]
Materials needed:
– Pair of scissors, scalpel, or razor blade
– Wire stripping pliers
– Two large bowls of tank water
– AragocreteTM plugs or small reef safe rocks
– Drill press or hand held drill
– 3/16 inch or ¼ inch cement drill bit
– Reef glue
Drilling the Holes:
Use a drill press or hand held drill with 3/16th inch or ¼ inch cement bit to make a hole in the plug or rock. The depth of the hole should range from ¼ inch to ½ inch maximum. Wash plugs in tap water to remove excess dust and particles. Start your holes very slowly and allow the drill bit to do the work.
These separate gorgonians are glued into the holes so that they fan out from the center. This allows the gorgonians to mature before they are separated from mounting in their own part of the reef aquarium.
Making the First Cuts:
Plan the cuttings so that each piece has a nice shape by leaving small branches on some of the cuttings and by making unbranched pieces longer. Cut off pieces of the mother colony into a large bowl with tank water.
Always cut collected gorgonians so that there are several short braches left on the base. These bases are glued into brood stock systems. Each of the branches left on the base soon grow new stalks that can cut later.
Removal of Tissue:
While cutting brown photosynthetic gorgonians, use wire strippers to remove ¼ inch to ½ inch of the coenchyme tissue leaving the hard central axis. This exposed axis offers a stronger bond with the reef gel than the tissue would. Some genus such as Plexaurella will develop an infection if the reef gel is covering the coenchyme.
The small pieces of the left over tissue can be scattered over the substrate in the tank. Some of these pieces attach and begin to grow.
Attaching the Cutting:
Use the reef glue to fill in the hole of the plug or rock completely. Place the exposed axis of the cutting into the glue filled hole.
Dip the cutting and plug into second bowl of tank water and hold under water for 10 seconds or until there is a firm bond.
Remember to place the plug in an area with strong current and moderate light.
Important note:
It is very important to dip any glued cutting in reef water as soon as possible. Reef glue heats as it cures and the tissue can be burned. The polyps point upwards so that the coral feels smooth when you are pulling the base of the coral down.
