Data as of Jul 25, 2026 · Based on 281 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
For fragging zoas, the 
Brands AI recommends here
Ideal for precision coral propagation tasks such as fragging zoanthids. It is best used for achieving a clean separation of the rock or coral skeleton without causing damage through crushing.
A highly recommended adhesive for coral propagation. Its thick gel consistency is specifically valued for its ability to hold strong and stay in place firmly when mounting corals underwater to plugs.
Bulk Reef SupplySource | Citation share |
|---|---|
Top 10 Tips For Fragging Soft Corals - Bulk Reef Supplyhttps://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/top-10-tips-fragging-soft-corals | 2.9% |
 How do y'all frag your corals? I've never done it before. : r/ReefTank - Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/ReefTank/comments/1muzfew/how_do_yall_frag_your_corals_ive_never_done_it/ | 2.7% |
 Best Fragging Method For Zoashttps://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php | 2.4% |
 Tools for Fragging Corals - Reef Buildershttps://reefbuilders.com/2020/06/12/tools-for-fragging-corals/ | 2.2% |
 Best way to frag zoa - Reef Centralhttps://forums.reefcentral.com/threads/best-way-to-frag-zoa.1575336/ | 2.0% |
Fragging Super Glue & Epoxy - Bulk Reef Supplyhttps://www.bulkreefsupply.com/saltwater-aquarium-fragging-supplies/super-glue-epoxies.html | 2.0% |
 Top 10 Tips for Successfully Fragging Soft Corals, Zoanthids, Leathers, Mushrooms and More! - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch | 1.8% |
How to frag Zoanthids the RIGHT way ft. Stratosphere "Strat ...https://www.youtube.com/watch | 1.8% |
 Coral Cutters - Reef Genetics – Top Shelf Aquaticshttps://topshelfaquatics.com/products/coral-cutters-reef-genetics | 1.6% |
 Specialty - Fragging - Glue & Epoxy - SaltwaterAquarium.comhttps://www.saltwateraquarium.com/specialty/fragging/glue-epoxy/ | 1.6% |
For zoas specifically, I would not make a bone cutter your primary cutting tool. Zoas are soft-bodied, so a very sharp scalpel/razor gives you much cleaner cuts; bone cutters are useful for breaking the underlying rock/plug.
1. Bone cutter — Seapora 8" Stainless Coral Cutter
$25.49
A good all-around reef cutter with stainless construction. It's particularly useful when your zoa colony is attached to a plug or rock and you want to cut/break the substrate into small pieces rather than forcing the zoa tissue itself through the cutter.
2. Glue gel — BSI IC-Gel
$16.00
This is my pick for mounting zoa frags. It's a thick cyanoacrylate gel, which is much easier to control than thin super glue and works well for attaching frags to plugs or rubble.
Cheaper/smaller alternative: ME Coral Coral Gel Glue is currently around $10 for 20 g.
$25.49
$16.00
$9.99
$12.99
One important tip: don't use the bone cutter directly on the zoa tissue. If they're on a frag plug, cut/break the plug underneath the colony, then use a razor to separate the mat. That gives you much cleaner, less traumatic frags.
If you're planning to mass-propagate zoas (e.g. 20–100+ frags at a time), I can also recommend a much better $50–100 propagation setup rather than buying individual tools.
Fragging zoas is relatively straightforward because you aren't always cutting through hard calcium carbonate skeletons—often you are cutting through a mat or a piece of rubble rock they are attached to . However, having the right tools makes the process clean, safe, and successful.
Best Bone Cutters for Coral Propagation
When choosing bone cutters, look for surgical-grade stainless steel designed specifically for aquariums to minimize rusting and ensure clean shearing rather than crushing. Avoid standard hardware store wire cutters, which rust instantly and pinch unevenly.
Best Glue Gel for Coral Propagation
For coral and zoanthid fragging, you must use a 100% cyanoacrylate gel . Regular liquid super glue is too runny, washes away in water, and won't form the necessary "mound" to cradle a frag.
Pro-Tip for Zoas: Zoanthids produce a toxin called palytoxin , which can be extremely dangerous if it enters an open cut or splashes into your eyes/mouth. Always wear eye protection and nitrile/latex gloves when fragging zoas, and work in a well-ventilated area.
Are your zoas currently growing on a flat rock/plug mat or attached to a larger branching structure , and will you be gluing them out of water or directly underwater in the tank?
When fragging zoanthids (zoas), success comes down to a clean cut through the mat or base rock and using an adhesive that can handle soft, slightly slimy tissue.
Best Bone Cutters for Zoas
For zoas, you aren't typically cutting massive skeletal branches; rather, you are clipping small pieces of rubble rock or frag plugs that the zoa mat is attached to.
Made of surgical-grade stainless steel (like 316 stainless), these are robust, resist saltwater corrosion well if washed properly, and have sharp, flat jaws that let you nip right under a zoa mat on a plug or rock.
Excellent for smaller hands or precise, close-up snips. The fine-pointed tips let you get into tight angles on irregular frag rubble.
Pro-Tip: Pair your bone cutters with a clean, sharp scalpel or razor blade (#10 or #11 blade). Use the razor to gently slice the mat between polyps, and use the bone cutter to chip away or trim the underlying plug/rock.
Best Glue Gel for Zoas
You must use a 100% cyanoacrylate gel super glue. Regular liquid super glue is too runny and will wash away or damage the coral tissue, while standard hardware store epoxies don't grip soft zoa mats well on their own.
Highly favored in the reef hobby because it holds its shape (like a little dollop or "ice cream cone") instead of running flat. The extra thickness helps bridge the gap between an uneven piece of rubble and a flat frag plug.
Comes in specialized positive-pressure tubes or multi-packs that minimize waste and don't back-siphon or pre-cure in the tube as quickly. It is ultra-thick and safe for aquatic environments.
Readily available household alternatives that are 100% cyanoacrylate-based and reef-safe. The control-squeeze bottles on Loctite make precise application much easier.
Quick Zoas Fragging Tip
Zoa mats can be slimy, which prevents glue from sticking. Pat the bottom of the zoa frag dry with a paper towel for just 2–3 seconds before pressing it into the dollop of gel glue on your plug. Always wear eye protection and gloves when fragging zoas due to the risk of palytoxin.
If you'd like, I can:
If you're fragging zoas specifically, I’d actually put a sharp scalpel/razor ahead of bone cutters. Bone cutters are useful for breaking/cutting the rock or frag plug underneath the zoas, but they can crush the tissue if you try to clip through the polyps themselves. Experienced reefers commonly recommend taking a small piece of substrate with the zoas whenever possible.
$18.00
$40.00
$19.99
$62.44
Bone cutter: I'd get the Tamsco 5.5" Coral Cutter for general reef use. It's stainless steel, compact, and has a curved jaw that is handy for getting underneath pieces of rock.
If you're going to be breaking thicker SPS skeletons or rock, step up to the heavy-duty version.
Glue gel: My first choice would be BSI IC-Gel. It's a very thick cyanoacrylate gel, which is exactly what you want for mounting zoa pieces because it doesn't run all over the plug/rock. It's also widely used in the reef hobby.
For a larger tube if you're doing a lot of propagation, Two Little Fishies CorAffix Pro is another excellent option and is specifically formulated for attaching zoanthids and other corals.
Big tip: Don't try to "cut the heads off" with the bone cutters. For the best survival, make small pieces that include zoa tissue/mat + a little substrate underneath. Community experience strongly favors this over cutting individual polyps free and gluing them directly.
If you tell me what kind of zoas you have (e.g., Rastas, Utter Chaos, WWC, etc.) and whether they're on a plug or a large rock, I can tell you exactly how I'd make the cuts and mount them.
Fragging zoanthids is a straightforward process, but using the correct tools ensures a clean cut, faster healing, and a secure bond to your frag plugs.
Best Bone Cutters for Zoas
Zoas usually grow on a mat over live rock or a frag disc . When choosing a bone cutter, you want surgical-grade stainless steel that won't rust immediately in saltwater.
Best Glue Gel for Coral Propagation
You must use a 100% cyanoacrylate gel super glue . Liquid super glue is too runny and will wash away or fail to bridge the gap between an uneven rock/plug and your zoa mat . An extra-thick gel is ideal because it holds its shape when squeezed and performs well even if it encounters residual water.
Top Pick: Seachem Reef Glue Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . Highly favored in the hobby because it comes in an aluminum tube (which prevents the glue from drying up prematurely inside the packaging like plastic bottles do) and features a much thicker, highly controllable gel formula.
Alternative 1: BRS Extra Thick Gel Super Glue Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or Bob Smith Industries (BSI) IC-Gel. BSI IC-Gel is famous for being thick enough that it won't run or drip at any angle.
Alternative 2 (Budget/General): Loctite Gel Control Super Glue Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (ensuring the back says cyanoacrylate).
Quick Tips for Fragging Zoas:
Would you like a step-by-step walkthrough on how to actually make the cuts and mount the zoa mat, or do you need advice on post-dip procedures to prevent infection?
For zoanthids specifically, you don't need a huge coral fragging kit. A sharp cutter for the mat and a thick cyanoacrylate gel are what matter most.
If you only plan to frag zoas, I'd actually skip bone cutters. Most zoanthids grow on a thin mat, and a scalpel or razor blade is cleaner and causes less damage. Bone cutters are more useful for SPS and LPS skeletons.
If you want one tool that will also handle stony corals later:
$35.00
It's a solid stainless coral cutter that will easily handle frag plugs, branching SPS, and LPS skeletons.
My favorite overall is:
$10.99
Why I like it:
Another excellent option:
$9.36
It's specifically marketed for coral fragging, bonds underwater, and its very thick formula gives good control.
Many reef keepers simply use 100% cyanoacrylate gel super glue (such as Gorilla Super Glue Gel or Loctite Gel Control) as long as it is gel and contains only cyanoacrylate without added fillers or polyurethane. Hobbyists consistently report results comparable to many aquarium-branded glues.
I'd use:
One important safety note: always wear nitrile gloves and eye protection when fragging zoanthids. Some species can contain palytoxin, which is hazardous if it contacts your eyes, enters cuts, or becomes aerosolized. Avoid using hot water or power tools on zoas, and work in a well-ventilated area.
If you're just getting into propagating zoas, I can also walk you through the cleanest "slice, peel, and glue" method that gives very high survival rates.
For zoanthids specifically, I'd actually prioritize a sharp scalpel for cutting the mat and bone cutters for breaking the frag plug or a small piece of rock beneath the colony. That minimizes damage to the polyps compared to trying to snip through tissue with cutters alone.
For most reef hobbyists, I'd go with a 5.5-inch curved coral bone cutter. The curved jaws give you better visibility and make it easier to nibble away small pieces of frag plug or rock.
My top pick:
$18.00
If you routinely frag thick SPS skeletons, a heavier-duty model is worth it:
$35.00
My favorite is Bob Smith Industries IC-GEL (IC-Gel Insta-Cure). It's extra thick, doesn't run everywhere, cures quickly, and has been a reef hobby staple for years.
$10.99
Other excellent choices:
$9.71
$62.44
If you're planning to frag a lot of zoas, I also recommend picking up:
What morphs are you planning to frag? Some (like Utter Chaos or GMKs) are worth taking extra care with because of their slower growth.
When propagating zoanthids (zoas/palys), your tool selection is a bit different than it is for stony branching corals (SPS). Because zoas grow as a mat over rock or plugs , you often don't need heavy surgical bone cutters unless you are clipping away chunks of dense aragonite skeleton underneath them.
The Best Tools for Fragging Zoas
Quick Tips for Fragging Zoas Successfully
Would you like a step-by-step walkthrough on how to safely peel and glue the zoa mat, or are you looking for recommendations on dip procedures post-fragging to prevent infection?
For zoanthids specifically, I'd use a slightly different setup than I would for SPS.
My top choice is:
$40.00
The cow horn jaw style gets underneath plugs and small rocks well, making it easier to break away a piece of substrate without crushing the zoa mat.
If you're mostly fragging colonies that are already on frag plugs or small rubble, a smaller precision cutter also works well:
$18.00
That said, for zoas, a sharp scalpel or fresh razor blade is often more important than the bone cutter. The bone cutter is primarily for removing a piece of the rock or plug. Once you have the colony separated, a razor lets you make cleaner cuts through the mat with less tissue damage. Experienced reef keepers generally recommend cutting the rock beneath the colony whenever possible rather than peeling polyps off the rock.
My favorite overall is:
$10.99
Reasons:
Other excellent options:
$12.99
$62.44
$9.99
All of these are reef-safe cyanoacrylate gels and have strong reputations in the hobby.
If you're planning to frag a lot of zoas, I also recommend keeping on hand:
Out of curiosity, what morphs are you planning to frag? Some (like Utter Chaos, AOIs, or high-end collectors) are a little fussier than common Eagle Eyes or Radioactive Dragon Eyes.
For successfully fragging zoanthids (zoas), the best tools are sharp, fine-tipped stainless steel bone cutters to cut the substrate/plug and a thick cyanoacrylate glue gel to secure the polyps.
Best Bone Cutters & Tools
Best Glue Gel
Top Tips for Fragging Zoas
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