Is there any easy to spawn coral?

[swamp.tide]

Dear MOFIB members,

I am a biology student and about to start my Ph.d. My idea is to check the expression of symbiosis-specific genes in coral larvae.

For that, I need to find some coral species I can easily induce to spawn in an aquarium.

Does anyone know any kind?

Thank you very much,

Michael.

[Suzy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aiptasia

[swamp.tide]

Wikipedia is a little inaccurate on this one... there are very few reports of induced spawning in aiptasias and no particular method has proved successful.

Although it is a model species for propagation studies.

[Suzy]

Mine spawn very frequently. I raise bergias so I need lots of aiptasias. I doubt you will find one easier.

[swamp.tide]

Dear Suzy,

I agree Aiptasia are easy to propagate sexually, but I need a coral with a controlled method for induced spawning. Regarding Berghia, do you know when the nudibranchs first acquire zooxanthellae? Is it during larval development or only after metamorphosis?

Anabel,

Good tip. Will check my importer and see if can get me some Sansibia[i][/i]

Thanks

[Suzy]

I don't. Sorry.

[EasterEggs]

Poccilopora sp corals "spontaneously" sexually reproduce in reef tanks quite often, not sure how easier it would be to trigger it yourself.

[ericbrood]

Poccilopora sp corals "spontaneously" sexually reproduce in reef tanks quite often, not sure how easier it would be to trigger it yourself.

+1
I have reef tank and observed new neon green pocillopora bud from distant rock quite often, though never had a chance to catch when it happens.

[ericbrood]

BTW, the origin of that new bud is just from approx 3 inch mini colony. Bigger colony might have favorable result.

[jeff@zina.com]

Poccilopora sp corals "spontaneously" sexually reproduce in reef tanks quite often, not sure how easier it would be to trigger it yourself.

If it were easily triggered, everyone would be breeding it and there'd be no wild collection.

Jeff

[EasterEggs]

If it were easily triggered, everyone would be breeding it and there'd be no wild collection.

Jeff

That's what I was suggesting.