what do you look for in frags?

[jared graves]

Me and my friend have been cutting a lot of acro frags and have been trying different sizes and ways of gluing to the plugs. So I was wondering what do you look for in good frags?

 

[Reeferdude56]

Definitely want to see a semi to fully encrusted frag. Also I want to see a drag at least and inch in size.

 

[kschweer]

Biggest thing I look for in sps frags is some
Encrusting. Other than that the color and overall "health" are also big factors.

 

[watchguy123]

Encrusting frags do demonstrate viability however I always cut my frags off the plug regardless so its not overly significant for me. Fresh cuts from a healthy tank always seem to do well and thrive.

I look for color, polyp extension and evidence of pests (preferably none being found)

There is a "study" that implied inch plus frags maybe even two inches (I forget exactly ) survive better. But I've also found 1/2 inch or even smaller frags from a healthy mother colony and tank also seem to survive equally well. My preference is inch plus but shorter does not overly concern me.

 

[rovster]

Bigger and more robust the better. Thick healthy encrusting base is key. Also a picture or an opportunity to see a fully colored mother is nice. I like surprises, but not with SPS. My tank isn't big enough to waste time and space on surprises.

 

[3Twinklets]

Encrusting for sure. Color also. Color is a great indication of health.

 

[D maul]

Color and pe

 

[Tonyfishbone]

fully healed and encrusted frags are ideal, as fresh cuts aren't as healthy because of stress

 

[rovster]

Encrusting for sure. Color also. Color is a great indication of health.

Yes colorful frags are nice, but colorful mothers are more important. Many corals lose color when fragged. Perfect example....


Tricolor frag a few days after "accidental fragging".....






Mother....


It's a healthy frag and even healthier mother. You definitely want to see what you're buying, but more importantly you want to see what you are potentially buying....

 

[3Twinklets]

What I said was, color is a great indication of health.
A well healed and encrusting frag should have good color.
I will not buy it if it does not regardless of the Mother colony.

 

[rovster]

Depending on how nice the mother is, it may make it worth it to take an imperfect frag....


Now this....



Hoping to turn into this...

 

[jared graves]

Thanks for all the great thoughts and advice!

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Encrusting frags, size, and color.

You may want to read this. Frags have a near 100% survival rate when you cut and mount them in water.

http://reefbuilders.com/2015/07/25/fragging-phenomenon-part-deux/

 

[watchguy123]

This is a great article. I also looked up Dieter Brockman's article that Micheal Paletta referenced ( http://coralmagazine-us.com/content/scientifically-smarter-frags ) and it was fascinating to re read about the length of frags and keeping frags underwater when mounting. Although Dr. Brockman's article sounded more like a readers digest review as opposed to a true scientific article it was thought provoking.

I also wanted to add to my original post that I always want to see what a mother colony looks like before I acquire a frag.

 

[watchguy123]

I went back and looked at the original referenced article: Coral Reefs 29:729-735, 2010. This is a scientific article and describes their research and methodology in detail. It's worth reading.

 

[klp]

Good information on mounting in water. Most videos I have seen as well as articles discuss taking them out to mount on plugs etc. Makes sense as it reduces stress. Nobody would ever know how LONG it was out of water to mount when you receive it. Something to ask about when ordering frags. I wonder if this is one of many reasons that unexpected bleaching occurs later on due to the stress and effect on the animals overall health.