Aquavitro does not make a coral cutter. Aquavitro is Seachem's reef chemistry line, focused on supplements like Calcification, Synthesis, and Eight.four for reef water parameters. The name "Aquavitro coral cutter" doesn't correspond to a real product. If you're looking for coral cutting tools for fragging, the actual products to consider are bone cutters, tile nippers, band saws, and coral scissors from brands like Coral Rx, Two Little Fishies, or general purpose hardware tools adapted for reef use.
Fragging corals is one of the most rewarding parts of reef keeping, both as a way to propagate your own collection and as a source of frags to trade or sell within the reef community. The right cutting tool depends on what type of coral you're working with, and using the wrong tool causes unnecessary tissue damage, increases infection risk, and reduces frag success rates.
Why Coral Fragging Tools Matter
Not all corals frag the same way. SPS corals (Acropora, Montipora, Pocillopora) have hard calcium carbonate skeletons that require cutting tools capable of handling bone-density material cleanly. LPS corals (hammer, torch, brain corals) vary by species, with some having brittle skeletons and others being almost entirely soft tissue. Soft corals and mushrooms involve no hard skeleton at all.
Using the wrong tool causes: - Excessive tissue crushing at the cut zone, increasing tissue necrosis - Ragged cuts that are harder to seal and slower to heal - Skeletal fractures that extend beyond the intended cut - Unnecessary stress to both the mother colony and the frag
The goal with any fragging cut is a clean, precise separation that exposes minimal tissue to the water column during the healing period.
Tools Used for Coral Fragging
Bone Cutters (Rongeurs)
Bone rongeurs are the primary tool for fragging branching SPS corals. They're originally medical/veterinary instruments designed for cutting bone, which makes them ideal for cutting Acropora and Stylophora branches.
Fritz Aquatics Coral Frag Cutter ($25-35): One of the few frag-specific bone cutters marketed for aquarium use. Double-joint mechanism delivers clean cuts on branches up to 3/4-inch diameter. Stainless steel construction handles saltwater without rusting.
Two Little Fishies Frag Cutter ($30-40): Another reef-specific option with a curved cutting head that reaches into tight branching structures. Well-reviewed for SPS colonies with dense branching.
Generic Rongeurs (medical supply): High-quality bone rongeurs available through medical supply stores or Amazon for $15-40. Look for stainless steel models with double-action jaws. Harbor Freight and similar tool suppliers carry long-nose cutters that work for SPS fragging at lower cost, though quality varies.
Tile Nippers
Tile nippers are used for encrusting SPS corals like Montipora capricornis, Montipora undata, and plating Acropora where you're cutting flat sections rather than branches.
Harbor Freight tile nipper ($8-12): Gets the job done for occasional fragging. The cutting wheels are hardened enough for coral skeleton. Replace when the wheels lose sharpness (they're cheap enough that replacement makes more sense than sharpening).
QEP tile nippers ($15-20): Slightly better build quality, available at Home Depot and Lowe's. Consistent cut quality for plating corals.
For tile nippers, the technique matters: score the coral in small increments rather than trying to cut across a large plate in one motion. Work from the edge toward the center, and make cuts 5-10mm apart to chip away a frag section.
Band Saws and Coral Saws
For high-volume fragging operations or very large mother colonies, a small band saw with a continuous water bath is the professional choice. These keep the cutting blade continuously rinsed and cooled while making clean, precise cuts.
Gryphon C-40CR Band Saw ($250-400): The most commonly recommended coral saw in the reef hobby. Designed for glass cutting, it's adapted perfectly for coral fragging with a continuous water rinse. The blade runs through a small water reservoir, flushing cut material and keeping the blade cool. Produces clean, precise cuts on any coral type.
Inland Craft Wizard II Wet Saw ($200-300): Another option used by coral farmers. Table-based design with a water tray that catches debris.
Band saws are not necessary for hobbyists fragging their own tanks. They make sense for coral farmers fragging large quantities, for working with very large or expensive colonies, or for producing consistent frag sizes to sell.
Bone Scissors and Coral Scissors
For soft corals, leathers (Sarcophyton, Lobophytum), and some mushroom frags, regular surgical scissors or purpose-built coral scissors work better than hard cutting tools.
Joyce Chen Unlimited Kitchen Scissors ($12-15): Used by many reefers for soft coral fragging. They're not fancy, but stainless steel and sharp enough for clean cuts.
Aquatop Coral Scissors ($15-25): Long-handled scissors designed for reaching into tanks and cutting soft coral tissue cleanly.
Scalpels: For precision work on mushroom corals and zoanthids where you're cutting individual polyps, a scalpel with replaceable blades gives the cleanest possible cut. Disposable surgical scalpels are available online in packs of 10 for $10-15.
Coral Fragging Workflow by Coral Type
SPS Branching Corals (Acropora, Pocillopora, Stylophora)
- Set up a fragging container with tank water
- Remove the colony or position it near the surface
- Use bone cutters to clip branches at the desired length (2-4 inches for most frags)
- Place frags immediately in the container of tank water
- Mount frags on plugs using reef-safe super glue gel or IC gel
- Return frags to the tank in medium-low flow for 48-72 hours while initial healing occurs
- Treat with Coral Rx or similar dip before reintroducing to the tank
Encrusting SPS (Montipora, Plating Acropora)
- Use tile nippers to chip away frag sections from the plate edges
- Work in small increments to avoid shattering the colony
- Mount on rubble or plugs with IC gel
- Spot-treat any exposed tissue with Coral Rx Pro as a preventative
LPS Corals (Hammer, Torch, Torch, Frogspawn)
Euphyllia corals (hammer, torch, frogspawn) have individual heads that share a common skeletal base. Fragging involves cutting the skeleton between heads using bone cutters. Cut as close to the center dividing point as possible to minimize exposed skeleton.
Brain corals (Lobophyllia, Blastomussa) can be fragged by cutting sections between polyps using tile nippers or a band saw.
Mushrooms (Discosoma, Rhodactis)
Mushrooms can be fragged by cutting polyps in half or quarters with a scalpel or sharp scissors. Each section should include a piece of the oral disc. Place sections in a covered container with tank water over rubble or plastic mesh until they attach, typically 1-2 weeks.
Coral Frag Accessories and Supplies
Frag plugs and discs: Two Little Fishies Frag Discs ($10-15 for 50), two-part epoxy plugs, and ceramic frag discs from various brands provide attachment surfaces. Ceramic plugs are the most widely used.
IC Gel (cyanoacrylate gel): The standard adhesive for mounting frags to plugs. Apply a small amount to the plug, press the frag base firmly, hold for 30-60 seconds, then lower slowly into the water. Cures in water without harming corals or fish.
Coral dips (Coral Rx, Revive): Used before and after fragging to reduce bacterial and parasite load. Coral Rx Pro ($15-20 for 1 oz concentrate) is diluted per instructions and frags soaked for 5-10 minutes.
Frag racks: Floating or suction-cup mounted racks hold frags in position during healing. Two Little Fishies Frag Rack or simple DIY egg crate solutions work fine.
For a full equipment rundown, see Best Aquarium Equipment and Top Aquarium Equipment.
FAQ
What's the best tool for fragging Acropora?
Bone rongeurs (bone cutters) are the standard choice for Acropora. The Fritz Aquatics Coral Frag Cutter or Two Little Fishies Frag Cutter deliver clean cuts on branches up to 3/4-inch diameter. For high-volume fragging or very large colonies, a Gryphon C-40CR band saw produces the cleanest, most consistent results.
Can I use regular scissors or kitchen shears to frag coral?
For soft corals and mushrooms, yes. Stainless steel scissors like the Joyce Chen Unlimited Kitchen Scissors are commonly used for soft coral fragging. For hard coral skeletons (SPS corals), scissors won't cut through the calcium carbonate material and will crush rather than cut.
How long do frags take to heal and attach?
SPS frags typically show new tissue growth and begin extending polyps within 1-2 weeks. Full attachment to a frag plug takes 2-4 weeks depending on species. Soft corals and mushrooms attach more quickly, often within a few days. LPS frags vary widely by species but generally show tissue recovery within 1-2 weeks.
Is it safe to frag corals in the display tank?
It's possible but not ideal. Fragging releases tissue irritants, potential pathogens, and slime into the water column. Doing it in a separate container of tank water keeps the display tank chemistry stable and allows you to properly dip frags before returning them. For small, quick cuts on soft corals, in-tank fragging is sometimes done but is generally not recommended as standard practice.