Seriatopora hystrix (Bird's Nest) Propagation Guide

How to propagate Seriatopora hystrix, the bird's nest SPS coral, by branch fragmentation, plus its natural brooding reproduction and the conditions a frag needs to regrow.

Overview

Seriatopora hystrix is a small-polyp stony (SPS) coral in the family Pocilloporidae. Its colonies form a tangled, bushy clump of fragile, slender, tapering branches with pointed tips, reaching roughly one meter across in the wild. It is a zooxanthellate species that houses symbiotic dinoflagellates in its tissues, so it derives much of its energy from light. These traits make it one of the easier branching SPS corals to multiply in captivity.

Reproductive Mode

In the wild S. hystrix is a brooder. Mature polyps produce both sperm and eggs; sperm are liberated into the sea and drawn into other polyps of the same or different colonies, and the developing larvae are brooded internally. When released, the larvae settle within about 24 hours, which suggests a limited dispersal range. The species can also reproduce asexually by fragmentation and by polyp bail-out.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

Aquarists exploit the same fragmentation seen on the reef: detached branch fragments can form new colonies if they settle in a suitable spot. Snap or cut a thin branch from the parent colony, then mount the cutting on a frag plug or rock. Dry off the base of the frag and the plug so the glue holds, add a couple of dabs of cyanoacrylate glue, and secure the piece. Return it to the tank in low flow so the bond can cure.

Conditions for Propagation

Because it is photosynthetic, a frag needs stable reef water, moderate to high light, and good water movement to expel mucus and support polyp extension. Keep the colony healthy before fragging, since cutting from a stressed colony slows recovery. Once attached, the frag encrusts the plug and resumes branching growth.

Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction through brooding is rarely targeted in home aquaria because the larvae settle quickly and over short distances. Self-fertilization may be an important strategy for this species in nature. Hobby propagation therefore relies almost entirely on fragmentation rather than larval rearing.