Lobophytum crassum Propagation Guide
How to propagate the devil's hand leather coral Lobophytum crassum by fragging and natural auto-fragmentation, with attachment and healing notes.
Overview
Lobophytum crassum is a leather coral in the family Alcyoniidae (class Octocorallia), one of the devil's hand corals named for the finger-like lobes that rise from a fleshy base. Members of the genus occur in shallow water across the tropical Indo-Pacific. Like other leather corals it hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and draws most of its nutrition from photosynthesis, which makes captive propagation straightforward.
Reproductive Mode
Practical reef propagation relies on asexual methods. Leather corals can be cut into pieces that each regenerate into a full colony, and they also self-propagate: a colony may drop bits of its own tissue or sprout bud-like projections that detach and grow elsewhere, and a moving specimen can leave a trail of small attached pieces behind it. Each route produces a clone of the parent.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
To frag, cut around the base with coral cutters or a clean blade, ideally taking a small piece of the rock with the cutting so there is a solid surface to bond. Leather corals slime heavily once cut, so the mucus is best kept out of the main system and basted away. Dry the cut surface and the plug before gluing, or secure the frag with a rubber band tight enough to hold but loose enough not to cut the tissue. Monofilament fishing line threaded through the base and tied to the substrate is a reliable alternative when glue will not hold.
- Cut around the base, including a sliver of rock if possible.
- Baste off the slime and keep mucus out of the display.
- Dry the cut base and plug, then glue, band, or tie the frag.
- Return the frag to a low-flow spot until it cures and attaches.
Conditions for Propagation
Place new frags in low flow so adhesive can cure and tissue can seal; once attached, flow and light can be raised toward the colony's normal preference. A few days in a calm spot lets the cut close and the polyps reopen before the piece is moved to its final location.
Common Challenges
The heavy mucus released during cutting can foul water in a small system, so increased filtration or a water change after fragging helps. Freshly cut leather corals often stay closed for several days while they heal, which is normal and not a sign of failure.