Unusual Pectina

[denverjon]

I recently bought an aussie pectina. It's unusual in that from what I can tell it only has one mouth in the center. I was thinking of fragging a couple of small pieces similar to what I've done with my space invader but I'm now wondering if that's a good idea. Does anyone know what type of pectina this is and how it would frag if it only has one mouth?

 

[KrisReef]

Great question, I don't know the answer(s)!

Looking around, It seems there are at least 4 kinds?

Family Merulinidate Genus Pectinia

Pectinia alcicornis** (Vulnerable) Pectinia ayleni (Near Threatened) Pectinia lactuca (Vulnerable) Pectinia paeonia** (Near Threatened)

(Info found at : Pectinia reference )

I wouldn't be in a hurry to frag any coral that has not been growing (postively, healthy) in my system for at least a few months or years depending upon the observed rate of growth of that coral, ie no growth is no frag vs. positive growth can allow for successful asexual reproduction.

As far as the mouth, I have seen other pectinia frags cut without mouths but I don't know how that impacts the frag survival? I believe they don't need 1 mouth/ frag to be viable but small (accidental) frags I have observed have a very low survival rate ime.

Bump for better answers!

 

[GHOSTLY]

Almost looks like a favias colours but i think it's a pectinia
Bump

 

[DeniseAndy]

I would not frag it and let it grow out. See what happens.

 

[denverjon]

Thanks for the feedback. I've had it for a couple of months and am not looking to chop it up. I've got a couple of friends who collect pectins so I was thinking of just cutting a couple of the small spikes off but I don't know how they'll do if they don't have mouths.