Sinularia cruciata: Fragging and Propagation
Propagating the lobed Sinularia cruciata by cutting its lobes and reattaching frags, with notes on its terpene chemistry, encrusting spread and wild spawning.
Overview
Sinularia cruciata is a lobed leather coral of the family Alcyoniidae, named for its cross-shaped lobed pattern, and is regarded as hardy and adaptable. As a Sinularia it carries small surface polyps without prominent dimorphism, is supported by sclerites, and depends mainly on symbiotic zooxanthellae for energy.
Reproductive Mode
Aquarium increase is asexual by fragging lobes, which heal into new colonies; the base can also encrust and spread over rock. Sexual broadcast spawning occurs in the wild but is not a home method.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
A clean, sharp blade is used to cut a lobe or part of one. Because the slimy tissue resists glue, the frag is banded, held in mesh or an onion bag, or set on rubble in low flow until it attaches; once anchored it can be glued. An iodine dip followed by a seawater rinse after cutting helps disinfect the wound and clear slime.
Conditions for Propagation
- Lighting: 75-200 PAR (medium)
- Flow: moderate, increased after attachment
- Temperature: 24-26 C
- Mature tank: at least about 3 months old
- Net out shed mucus that can irritate neighbours
Sexual Reproduction
Gonochoric octocoral colonies release eggs or sperm during broadcast spawning; fertilised eggs become planula larvae that drift, settle on hard substrate and bud into colonies. This natural pathway is not used for home propagation.
Common Challenges
Lobed leathers periodically close and form a shiny waxy film that is shed within a few days before the polyps reopen. Sinularia produces diverse terpene-based metabolites and toxic, allelopathic compounds that can inhibit competitors, so the slime released during fragging should be removed from the main system.