Fragging off zoas

MMcKenna1029

Community Member
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Messages
66
Reaction score
69
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
Location
Gilford
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Back story... About a year ago my I made some very unwise zoa frag purchases at a frag swap. Although they seemed to be nice multi head frags, the zoas were not directly attached to the plugs but rather porous rubble which was then glued to the plugs. Turns out this porous rock was filled with aptasia and bubble algae.... Whatever, is what it is. At this point I am setting up a new tank and intend to save as many types of zoas as possible without bringing over any unwanted guests. I know... many will say that is impossible but we're going for best efforts.

My thought currently on the best way to do this would be to cut off a small amount of heads, whatever I can get flesh only, dip and rinse thoroughly and then glue to a new plug. Can zoas be fragged as a single head? Do i need much flesh behind the head for it to survive? Even if I could get a single head of each variant but pest free I would consider that a huge win.
IMG_20230123_114623078(1).jpg

Thoughts?

Best regards,
Matt
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com

adpuls34

Community Member
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Jul 24, 2021
Messages
31
Reaction score
5
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
Location
Mission Viejo
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Back story... About a year ago my I made some very unwise zoa frag purchases at a frag swap. Although they seemed to be nice multi head frags, the zoas were not directly attached to the plugs but rather porous rubble which was then glued to the plugs. Turns out this porous rock was filled with aptasia and bubble algae.... Whatever, is what it is. At this point I am setting up a new tank and intend to save as many types of zoas as possible without bringing over any unwanted guests. I know... many will say that is impossible but we're going for best efforts.

My thought currently on the best way to do this would be to cut off a small amount of heads, whatever I can get flesh only, dip and rinse thoroughly and then glue to a new plug. Can zoas be fragged as a single head? Do i need much flesh behind the head for it to survive? Even if I could get a single head of each variant but pest free I would consider that a huge win.
View attachment 2988075
Thoughts?

Best regards,
Matt

I have fragged zoas with only a single head and not much flesh. Just make sure that they are firmly glued to the frag plug. Preferably let the glue dry outside of the tank first to ensure that flow or a snail will not dislodge the polyp. Always wear gloves and safety glasses! Good luck!
 

Rawsreef

Active Member
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
View Badges
Joined
Oct 19, 2021
Messages
361
Reaction score
179
Review score
+0 /0 /-0
Location
miami
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Not sure how to deal with the aptasia, I've never dealt with them to this extreme. Im usually inspecting my frags really closely, especially the first few weeks. whenever I see something that looks like it may be an aptasia, I grab the frag plug out the tank and scrape the unwanted stuff off with my fingernail. Probably not the cleanest way, but it works for me.


As for the unwanted algae, I think giving them a peroxide dip would solve that.
 
Top Shelf Aquatics

Polyp polynomial: How many heads do you start with when buying zoas?

  • One head is enough to get started.

    Votes: 27 10.6%
  • 2 to 4 heads.

    Votes: 145 57.1%
  • 5 heads or more.

    Votes: 65 25.6%
  • Full colony.

    Votes: 10 3.9%
  • Other.

    Votes: 7 2.8%
NooPsyche CORAL LIGHT
Back
Top