Coral Fragging 101: Propagating Your Reef Tank

Fragging (short for fragmenting) is the practice of cutting a piece from a healthy coral colony to grow as a new, independent colony, a core skill in the reef keeping community.

Why Frag Coral?

Fragging controls overgrowth in a mature tank, lets you trade or sell extra pieces with other hobbyists, and provides a backup in case something happens to the main colony.

When to Frag

Only frag healthy, well-established coral — a stressed or recently acquired colony needs time to settle in first before being cut.

Basic Tools and Technique

Bone cutters or a specialized coral saw work for stony corals, while sharp scissors suit soft corals like Xenia or mushroom corals. Always cut cleanly to minimize tissue damage.

Aftercare

Frags need stable water quality and moderate flow while healing, and are often placed in a frag rack until they attach to a new base. See our Complete Guide to Coral Reef Tanks for the broader water chemistry context that supports healthy healing.