Porites cylindrica Propagation Guide

Propagating the stout branching coral Porites cylindrica by cutting and gluing branch sections, with notes on the genus's reproduction and slow but hardy frag growth.

Overview

Porites cylindrica is a small-polyp stony coral of the family Poritidae with stout, cylindrical branches and the very small polyps typical of the genus. Like its relatives it carries symbiotic zooxanthellae and shows the halotolerance and general hardiness that make Porites a forgiving group of branching SPS corals.

Reproductive Mode

Porites disperse by planktonic larvae that settle onto the substrate, and the genus also spreads vegetatively when living fragments break away and lodge elsewhere on the reef to form new colonies. This natural fragmentation is what aquarists reproduce deliberately when propagating a branching species such as cylindrica.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

Cut a stout branch section from a healthy colony with coral cutters, then mount it on a frag plug or rock. Dry the base of the cutting and the plug so the glue takes hold, apply a couple of dabs of cyanoacrylate, press the frag firmly into place, and return it to low flow while the bond cures. The frag encrusts the plug and continues thickening its cylindrical branches.

Conditions for Propagation

A cylindrica frag needs stable reef chemistry, moderate to high light, and steady flow to keep the small polyps clean. The species is slow-growing, so a fresh frag takes time to lengthen its branches; patience and consistent water quality matter more than aggressive feeding.

Common Challenges

The tiny polyps make early tissue loss easy to miss, so check frags regularly. Good flow over the cut surface helps the tissue heal onto the plug and limits algae from colonising the wound during the slow recovery.