Zoa Fragging

darnoc23 · Jul 10, 2024

Hi All,
Some of my Zoas are growing towards the side of the plug which I want to frag instead of adding another frag plug to the bottom (GMK and LSOH pic are samples of polyps on the side). When they're closed I can see that some are connected to two polyps (strat pics). Some of the posts I've read experienced their colony frags melting after fragging. Anything different when fragging these types of Zoas or should I just play safe and add a larger plug at the bottom. TIA.

exnisstech · Jul 11, 2024

Are your plans to just grow them on plugs and not rocks?

twentyleagues · Jul 11, 2024

I have found the easiest way to frag zoas is to put the plug in to a pile of small rocks or one of those ceramic frag plug holders with spaces for more than 1 frag plug. As the frag expands off the main plug and on to the rocks or other plugs you can make a simple cut in the attaching mat to remove the rock or new plug and you have a new frag. Replace the rock or plug and wait for it to happen again. Some zoas are very sensitive to fragging and even being handled in general so the less invasive the better. I have had great luck doing it this way with most zoas. I have had some in the past that you could literally peel them off the rock and glue to a frag plug and theyd be fine the next day others if you even just cut the mat they would sulk for 2 weeks.

Funny story, I used to sell corals out of my tank typically pretty cheap. I had a guy contact me about one of the zoas I was selling for I think $5 a polyp (may have been ppe dont remember), He only want 1 polyp but smallest I had were 3-5 polyp frags I told him I would sell him a 3 polyp for $10 but he only wanted 1. So I saw one in my colony that was a really nice looking large single polyp with 2 little nubs of new zoa growth at its base. I thought it wouldnt be hard to remove it from the colony and put it on a plug for the guy. I did it and I told him to give me a couple days to make sure it was ok. It looked like a part of the male body and stayed that way for a month. I am pretty sure the zoa was telling me it didnt like what I did. After about a month the 2 little nubs opened and so did the large main one so he still got a 3 polyp frag but for $5....lol I got a bunch of funny pics Win-Win.

Townes_Van_Camp · Jul 11, 2024

I put another rock or plug next to them. Once they are grown together, in a small 3 or 4 inch deep dish I will seperate the two plugs under water by gently pulling them apart. That way it can't accidentally squirt it's poison at me. Then discard the water.

darnoc23 · Jul 11, 2024

exnisstech said:
Are your plans to just grow them on plugs and not rocks?

I typically see these zoas on plugs. I was looking at easiest way to keep them and frag them when needed. I will put some frags on rocks to experiment. Thanks.

ZzyzxRiver · Jul 13, 2024

twentyleagues said:
. It looked like a part of the male body

Zoas come in male and female??

twentyleagues · Jul 13, 2024

ZzyzxRiver said:
Zoas come in male and female??

No thats what it looked like not what it was.

Liftoff · Jul 13, 2024

I have seen a 3D printed module in the DIY thread that looks like a honey comb structure, but you can basically remove each comb/part. If you place your Zoa in the middle, you can take the plugs around the oringal one away.

Liftoff · Jul 13, 2024

Here check this out
1) https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5256983
2) https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4653240

ZzyzxRiver · Jul 13, 2024

Liftoff said:
Here check this out
1) https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5256983
2) https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4653240

out of curiosity, for an established tank and experienced reefer, how long would it take a zoa frag to spread over six surrounding frags like that?

ZzyzxRiver · Jul 13, 2024

twentyleagues said:
No thats what it looked like not what it was.

Oh wow that went right over my head LOL

twentyleagues · Jul 13, 2024

ZzyzxRiver said:
out of curiosity, for an established tank and experienced reefer, how long would it take a zoa frag to spread over six surrounding frags like that?

Depends on the coral. But everything being perfect for the zoa in question and if its one of the faster growing (nice ones) probably 6-8 weeks. I put a 3 polyp frag of magicians in my tank in may its now 30+ polyps. Went from the quarter sized frag plug to covering about the size of a baseball.

ZzyzxRiver · Jul 13, 2024

twentyleagues said:
Depends on the coral. But everything being perfect for the zoa in question and if its one of the faster growing (nice ones) probably 6-8 weeks. I put a 3 polyp frag of magicians in my tank in may its now 30+ polyps. Went from the quarter sized frag plug to covering about the size of a baseball.

In 4 weeks I’ve only managed to get like 5 new polyps out of my six zoa frags! But my tank is only 10 weeks old- I’m just proud I haven’t killed any yet!

twentyleagues · Jul 13, 2024

ZzyzxRiver said:
In 4 weeks I’ve only managed to get like 5 new polyps out of my six zoa frags! But my tank is only 10 weeks old- I’m just proud I haven’t killed any yet!

They all grow at different rates. I have some that have only produced 1 more polyp in 5 months. My ppes went in with 4 polyps and are now 8 in 5 months. My candy apple reds are in almost 200 par and are still reaching for light they have added more polyps but all of them look terrible because they are 3" tall lol. Cant figure those guys out....

ZzyzxRiver · Jul 13, 2024

twentyleagues said:
They all grow at different rates. I have some that have only produced 1 more polyp in 5 months. My ppes went in with 4 polyps and are now 8 in 5 months. My candy apple reds are in almost 200 par and are still reaching for light they have added more polyps but all of them look terrible because they are 3" tall lol. Cant figure those guys out....

My pink zippers are the quick growers- three new polyps in a couple weeks. But they are about half an inch tall- I thought that was bad enough, didn’t consider three!

My Xenia frag came with about 20 mandarin Orange Zoas. That’s added a few for sure but I doubt it’s going to last as the Xenia grows in size- the polyps that have gotten shaded by it are starting to stretchhhhh too.

I can’t find details about PAR for Biocube stock lighting, all I know is my AOIs three inches from the surface look completely unimpressed.

Thankfully, I’ve gotten all my zoa frags for pretty cheap- it’ll be a learning experience whatever happens.

twentyleagues · Jul 13, 2024

ZzyzxRiver said:
My pink zippers are the quick growers- three new polyps in a couple weeks. But they are about half an inch tall- I thought that was bad enough, didn’t consider three!

My Xenia frag came with about 20 mandarin Orange Zoas. That’s added a few for sure but I doubt it’s going to last as the Xenia grows in size- the polyps that have gotten shaded by it are starting to stretchhhhh too.

I can’t find details about PAR for Biocube stock lighting, all I know is my AOIs three inches from the surface look completely unimpressed.

Thankfully, I’ve gotten all my zoa frags for pretty cheap- it’ll be a learning experience whatever happens.

Yeah I really like the big polyp zoas and palys unfortunately when they do stupid stuff like "I wanna be in 6000 par" they really look bad and can stretch a lot.