Furry Mushroom (#2) and it's offspring...

[Pri B]

Well since I'm feeling inquisitive this evening how about another goofy, newby question?

So here is the second furry-type mushroom thing in my tank (assuming I can insert another picture tonight). He appears to have some sort of furry branch growing out of his base and I am looking for some direction, or direction that no direction is needed hehe (see I think that's funny, which means I AM up way past my bedtime). ;p

Should I just let it continue to grow attached to his base? Should I attempt my first fragging? Is it one of those things that will just fall off when it's ready for a new home?



PS - In addition to wasting too much money on fish stuff lately I now have decided I need to waste money on a new camera to boot. Must my stupid little camera auto-focus on the coraline algae on the back of my tank every time? Sheesh...

[jonthefb]

This furry little guy is a toadstool leather as well. The little thing branching off the base is a baby colony forming. It will eventually grow out and equal the size of the original, however it typically wont "frag itself" like some of the other leather corals (kenya tree, etc). You certainly can frag it using a sharp razor blade. They call these corals leather corals because their texture is very leathery, and therefore can be very difficult to cut through. I would personally wait a little longer until it is a little bigger before amputating it. This way you will have a healthier colony, and it will be easier to attach to something else!
Cheers~!
Jon

[Pri B]

Oh excellent and good to know! The information I have gleaned so far seems to be when the extra branch reaches an inch in size, then I can separate the branch (and donate it to anyone who might want it in Denver/Lakewood).

[jonthefb]

you can cut it now, it wont hurt and doesnt have to be any particular size, it just depends on what you are comfortable, and of course the larger it is, the easier it will be to work with.
Cheers~!
Jon

[wicked demon]

What I do to frag a softy with a "stem" or tree like growth is cut down vertically leaving the two pieces footed to the same base to heal, then a week or two later I cut the rock with a dremel to separate the stalks rather than removing a piece from the rock completely, they can be tricky to get refooted on a rock or frag base and gluing the flesh of soft corals is bad juju.

You can also cut the baby off directly and place in a low flow area, ( in a shot glass is perfect) on some rubble and be patient. Good luck with that!!