Green Sinularia

[Samper]

I bought my green Sinularia with 7 branches and about 8 inches long. It has been in my system only a week and I can count 12 branches and notice a considerably thicker base. I know they grow fast but is this to be expected? Also have noticed that the green color has gotten brighter. At this rate I'll have plenty of frags to take to the next frag swap.

Also, I have it fairly close to my brain due to the fact that they both need little water flow and to be well lit. I'm limited to where I can place them with 4 maxi jets running. I had to do a little aiming just to be able to place them where they are. Would you guys think that they are too close or that they might do battle in some way? They aren't touching and have about 5 inches between them.

[Reefland]

Samper,

I don't think that it would grow that fast, you are probably just noticing the coral responding better in a healthy environment.

[Sueet]

I agree with Scott... Sinularia is very good at 'shrinking' and pretending to not be there when it is unhappy (being moved, etc...)

[Samper]

Alright, well either way I'm experiencing a positive result of adding it to my system. Any thoughts on it being so close to the brain?

[Reefland]

5" of space is more than enough.

[Samper]

My Sinularia has grown considerably since I started caring for it. It's now about 9" tall and has grown atleast 6 new 1-2 inch branches. I'd like to try my first fragging this weekend. I know it can be very stressful not only for the sinularia but for everything else in my system to cut it cause they are considered pretty toxic right?. How would you guys go about fragging this guy and possibly some ricordia in a 20g tank? Also how can I make sure that the toxins don't cause harm to my other life? I won't cut them in the tank but I have to put them back in it afterwards. I plan on running a ton of carbon and doing a water change but what other steps can I take to ensure happiness for all my inhabitants during this process?

[Samper]

Anyone?

[Poseidon]

Sounds like a plan to me... I would put the frags in a 5 gallon bucket, and run Carbon overnight before replacing them to the tank...

[Samper]

Is there a particular size that the cutting needs to be to help with the survival of the frag?

[Sueet]

Is there a particular size that the cutting needs to be to help with the survival of the frag?

No. I got a 1/2" frag several months ago, and it is over 2" now. ..... Have to say this though... the bigger it is, the easier it will be to attach it to something, I had a devil of a time with that teeny piece I had! (ended up stuffing it in a hole in the rock and praying)

I would say, based on my experience with other leathers/soft corals, try to cut at least a little ways down from the lowest branch, so that you have a bit of 'base' to work with.

[Samper]

where you been barb?

[Sueet]

where you been barb?

LOL.... umm..... I got hooked to a video game, City Of Heroes...

Still hooked, just missed u guys

[Samper]

I know how that is......well welcome back for the moment.

[Poseidon]

Just took a picture of my friends Green Sinularia, last night.... How did the fragging go?

[Samper]

Well with the addition of the new Xenias and Base rock I'm going to wait another month before trying it. Mine doesn't have near as many polyps on the branches as your friends but his is a good size compared to mine. Any idea if something might be wrong or will the amount of polyps increase as the coral continues to grow?

[Samper]

Just thought I'd update this. My Sinularia has many many more polyps than it used to have before the addition of my halide. I'm going to frag 3 pieces of it later today and rubberband them to some rubble in an attempt to have some collateral at this meeting in SC next weekend.

[kevinpo]

A note about this coral:
It grows large and is among the most toxic (see "Aquarium Corals" Borneman pg. 134 "Special Information")
It produces strong terpenes that will kill, over time many LPS and SPS corals (depending of course on coral size, water volume, frequency of water changes, etc.). Most Reefkeepers with SPS/LPS dominated tanks remove the Sinularia family of corals.

Regards,
Kevin

[Samper]

Thanks Kevin, I knew they were pretty toxic but like the coral so I'll it keep around in my nano even when I set up my other system.

I did frag 2 pieces of it today and performed a 25% water change afterward. I used some Goody Ouchless elastic hair bands to attach the pieces to some rubble and they are doing great. At first they were laying down but the pieces have stood up and will be fine.

[Samper]

It shall be gone soon........after some further reading and me catching the sps bug it's got to go.

[Bald Eagle]

I have had my Sinularia for several yrs now. I agree with the post about the terpenes. they will aggressively try to kill other corals with their poison. When i got my colony it was roughly 1 foot wide by 1 foot tall by 6in deep. I put it in my 125gl i had then, in a very short time it outgrew my 125. by the time i had bought my 210's it had grown to take up almost 2/3 of my 125. I have made over 30 cuttings of this coral. It is now the centerpiece of my 210 softies tank. And even in my 210, it is HUGE. It has grown to over 2 foot wide and 1 1/2 foot tall and 1 foot deep.