Cheap Coral Frags: Inexpensive but Beautiful Saltwater Coral Displays
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own saltwater coral garden, then coral frags are an excellent option. These easy to care and inexpensive species will provide your reef aquarium with fabulous color and movement. So what are you waiting for?
Corals are amazing creatures, made up of several small and often huge colonies of individual polyps. Coral reefs can be found across tropical waters of the world. Coral reefs provide refuge and food for most aquatic species across the ecosystem. Coral frags are a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to propagate coral and cultivate your reef tank. Since Coral frags can come in a range of sizes, colors and species, it is one of the easiest ways to create a beautiful coral garden and to maintain conservation through propagation of fragging.
What Is A Coral Frag?
A frag is short for fragment, the piece you cut or split from the main coral colony. When the fragment plug has developed to a reasonable size or overgrown the frag plug, it is no longer considered a frag. Frags are a popular alternative among reef aquarists, since they are a more budget friendly clone of the main colony, and it's rewarding to watch the coral frag grow from a handful of polyps. Frags may include Candy Cane, Euphyllias, Zoanthids, Mushrooms & many others.
Coral Frag Care
Most corals benefit from small pieces of meaty marine foods, such as baby brine shrimp, Cyclop-eeze, or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. Additional supplements of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water column is also beneficial for the continued health of your corals. Most corals thrive well in a temperature range of 72-78 °F, and pH of between 8.1-8.4.
Here Are Some Of Our Favorite Species:
Aquarium Depot has a range of fantastic, budget-friendly ways to quickly enhance your reef aquarium with fabulous color and movement. Whether you're a beginner coral keeper or an advanced reef aquarium hobbyist, there are a range of options for you to enjoy for years to come. You can select from a beautiful range of coral frags for diversity in coloration and form throughout your tank.
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Green Pocillipora (Pocillopora damicornis)
The Green Pocillopora Coral grows in a form resembling a cauliflower, and is often referred to as Cauliflower Coral. These corals are very popular due to their longer hairy polyps that are green in color and differ from the coloration of the coral which is primarily yellow.
The Green Pocillopora Coral is peaceful and can be placed in close proximity to other similar peaceful corals in the reef aquarium. Pocillopora is one of the most easy-to-maintain SPS corals and grows quickly in an established reef aquarium. Medium lighting combined with medium flow of water inside the aquarium are needed. The addition of calcium, strontium and other trace elements to the water would also be needed to maintain optimal coral health.
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Peppermint Lord Acan (Micromussa lordhowensis)
The Peppermint Lord Acan Coral is a beautiful color variety of the popular Micromussa lordhowensisl. The striking striped red coloration emphasizes the rhythmic and geometric growth habit of this lovely colonial coral. With both red and light blue / white coloration along the septa of the corallite, this large polyp stony with strong growth and beautiful patterns will surely please any reef aquarist. Lordhowensis Corals generally have large corallites (~10mm) with small teeth or lobes on their septa, as well as well-developed columellae.
The Peppermint Lord Acan Coral is extremely hardy and fast growing in the reef aquarium, tolerating a wide range of environments, including low and high illumination and moderate water currents. While tolerant of a wide variety of aquarium conditions, the sturdy Lordhowensis Coral would do best in a well-established reef aquarium with stable conditions.
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Purple & Orange Nipples Zoanthid (Zoanthus sp.)
The Purple & Orange Nipples Zoanthid Coral boasts an awe inspiring bright blend of colors, exuding a tranquil beauty. This unusual color morph is sure to tantalize Zoanthid collectors and budding reef aquarium hobbyists. The Purple & Orange Nipples Zoanthid Coral adds a stunning yet harmonious flush of color accentuated by the repeating, colonial nature of the polyp corals.
Similar to other Zoanthus Colony Polyp Corals, the Purple & Orange Nipples Zoanthid is easy to maintain, making it a good choice for beginner reef aquarists. It requires moderate light levels combined with medium water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, the Purple & Orange Nipples Zoanthid will also require the addition of iodine and other trace elements.
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Red Gorgonian (Gorgonia sp.)
The Red Gorgonian Coral is common among Caribbean reefs and grows in a vertical, tree-like fashion. The branches are vibrant red and have a bumpy texture when the polyps are not extended. The polyps of this Gorgonian are very small and white, and are often extended during the daytime. This Gorgonian is tougher than many of its counterparts and will add to the diversity of your reef aquarium.
The Red Gorgonian is peaceful, but adequate space should be given away from nearby corals or anemones. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor its base to a piece of living rock in the reef aquarium. Maintaining this species is more difficult, as it requires additional feeding several times a week. This gorgonian is not photosynthetic, so the presence or lack of light is not essential. It should be supplemented on a regular basis with zooplankton or phytoplankton.
Sustainable Sourcing
A key focus for us at Aquarium Depot is ensuring a sustainable supply of corals and invertebrates. We pride ourselves on meeting rigorous standards and ensuring our practices for sustainable coral aquaculture. We have been certified by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Aquaculture (Certification: AQ0262031) since 2011. As a certified aquaculture center, we plan to lead the way in doing our part to successfully avoid and prevent the loss of coral reef habitats worldwide. It is part of our ethos that, as coral reefs are becoming increasingly vulnerable worldwide, addressing biodiversity should be the number one priority for responsible coral growers. Since our establishment, Aquarium Depot has raised the number of sustainable items on the market by 90 %. We also actively support ReefCause, which partners closely with environmental organizations around the world in support of reef conservation and recovery efforts.