I want to frag my zoas. What is the best bone cutter and glue gel for coral propagation?

Data as of Oct 5, 2026Based on 311 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI ModeReviewed by Dimitry Apollonsky · Oct 5, 2026

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For fragging zoas, the Two Little Fishies Bone Cutter is the premier choice for achieving clean, precise cuts without crushing the coral skeleton. When securing your frags, look for thick cyanoacrylate gels like Loctite Gel Control, Gorilla Gel, or BSI Insta-Cure, as these are specifically recognized for their ability to stay in place underwater on vertical surfaces during the mounting process.

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I want to frag my zoas. What is the best bone cutter and…

If you’re primarily fragging zoanthids, I’d actually prioritize a sharp scalpel/soft-coral knife over bone cutters. Bone cutters are excellent for breaking apart the plug/rock underneath a zoa colony, while a blade is better for cleanly separating the mat.

My picks

Bone cutter:

Tamsco Instruments Coral Cutter - $18.00 (Chewy)

The Tamsco 5.5" stainless coral cutter is a sensible choice for zoa work because you can use it to break/cut the substrate into manageable pieces rather than trying to crush the zoa tissue itself. Its stainless construction is also useful around saltwater.

Glue gel:

Bob Smith Industries IC-Gel Insta Cure - $12.99 (Lush Corals)

BSI IC-Gel would be my go-to. It's an extra-thick cyanoacrylate gel, so it stays where you put it instead of running everywhere. BRS specifically highlights IC-Gel's thick consistency for coral fragging.

A good alternative is Seachem Reef Glue:

Seachem Reef Glue - $14.99 (PETCO)

Seachem says its current formula is 17× thicker and bonds within seconds, including underwater.

For zoas, I'd buy this little setup

Stainless bone cutters — for cutting the plug/rubble.
Sharp scalpel or dedicated soft-coral knife — for separating the zoa mat.
BSI IC-Gel — for mounting pieces.
Ceramic frag plugs/discs — discs work particularly well for encrusting zoas.
Nitrile gloves + eye protection — especially important with zoanthids/Palythoa because some can contain palytoxin.

One important tip: don't use the bone cutter directly on the zoa polyp if you can avoid it. Cut the underlying rock/plug into pieces carrying the desired polyps, then use the blade for precise cleanup. That minimizes unnecessary tissue damage.

If you tell me roughly how many zoa colonies you plan to frag (occasional hobbyist vs. dozens of frags), I can narrow this down to a specific cutter + glue setup at different price points.

Sources cited in this answer5

Propagation of zoanthids (zoas) is straightforward, but having the right tools makes the process clean, safe, and successful.

Best Bone Cutters for Zoas

When choosing a bone cutter, look for surgical stainless steel (ideally 316 grade) that resists saltwater corrosion. You want a cutter with a slim, sharp profile to get under the mat or slice through a small piece of skeleton/plug cleanly.[1]

- Boston Aqua Farms Large Stony Coral Cutters : Specifically designed for the hobby, featuring a flat cutting head to get close to the base and high-quality coiled springs.[1]
- Oceans Wonders Stainless Steel Stony Bone Cutter : A reliable, budget-friendly 316 surgical stainless steel option that handles rock or frag plug trimming with ease.[1][2]

Best Glue Gel for Coral Frags

For zoas, you need a 100% cyanoacrylate gel (never regular liquid super glue, which runs everywhere and can damage the polyp tissue). A thicker gel allows you to make a small "blob" that bridges the gap between an uneven frag plug and the zoanthid mat.

- Seachem Reef Glue : Highly regarded because it comes in an aluminum tube rather than plastic. This prevents the glue from drying out prematurely in storage, a common frustration with other brands.[1]
- BRS Extra Thick Gel Super Glue : Excellent high-viscosity cyanoacrylate that holds its shape nicely out of water before you submerge it.
- [Gorilla Super Glue Gel ]: A readily available hardware store alternative (ensuring it says gel , not liquid) that works well, though it can skin over quickly in humid air.

Pro-Tip for Zoa Propagation: Zoas secrete a toxic toxin (palytoxin) when stressed or cut. Always wear eye protection and waterproof gloves when fragging, and do it in a bucket of separate tank water rather than directly in your display system.

If you'd like, let me know:

Are your zoas growing on a loose rubble rock, a large colony, or a frag plug?
Do you plan to glue them out of the water or submerged?

I can share a quick step-by-step workflow for the cut and glue process.

Fragging zoanthids is relatively straightforward, but having the right tools makes the process clean, safe, and successful. Zoas grow as mats or on small rubble/branching rock, so you want a precision cutter and a thick cyanoacrylate gel.

Best Bone Cutters for Coral Propagation

When cutting zoas, you are usually snipping through a thin mat of rock, a frag plug, or a small piece of skeleton underneath the polyps. Stainless steel surgical bone cutters are the industry standard.

- [Boston Aqua Farms Large Stony Coral Cutters ](https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productdetailas.asp?did=5&pid=4438&cid=356) - Made from high-grade surgical stainless steel with a flatter cutting head, making it easy to slip under encrusting mats.[1]
- [Ocean Wonders Stainless Steel Stony Coral Cutter ](https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/oceans-wonders-coral-stony-bone-cutter.html?ab_version=A&srsltid=AfmBOopGc_L5yFM-aIfXM0uBqb_oowMq0I7uaaW63Ee9HiUeg6HjKs2t5RU) - Built with 316 surgical stainless steel and a strong coiled spring; highly durable if rinsed with hot water and dried after every use.[1]
- [Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) SPS Coral Bone Cutter ](https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-5-sps-coral-bone-cutter.html?ab_version=A&srsltid=AfmBOorAieMMT0RPRLup_hDI3C9cCRdBP5cEAdtjSkbgqx1sFENMBd2gdkI) - A budget-friendly, smaller-form-factor option that gives great leverage for tight snips.[1]

Best Glue Gel for Corals

You must use 100% cyanoacrylate gel. Regular super glue can be runny and toxic, while gels stay where you put them and bridge gaps between the mat and the plug.

- [Seachem Reef Glue ](https://www.seachem.com/reef-glue.php) - An extra-thick cyanoacrylate gel that comes in an aluminum tube, meaning unlike plastic bottles, it won't prematurely dry out in storage.
- [Two Little Fishies CorAffix Pro ](https://www.asap-aquarium.com/products/two-little-fishies-coraffix-pro-295ml?variant=39632373743674&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOoq22aN5VAu83eOAcOj8LU4yzE6-yk1vrL57cZAZFCSYFGHOao_Sbio) - Features a honey-like high viscosity that is fantastic for gripping zoanthid mats and sets very quickly underwater.[1]
- [BRS Extra Thick Gel Super Glue ]() - Excellent for creating a large "glob" to push a loose zoa mat or plug fragment into.

Pro-tip when gluing zoas: Zoanthids release a toxic compound called palytoxin/zoanthotoxin when stressed or cut. Always wear eye protection and gloves, and perform your cuts in a separate container of tank water, letting the glue skin over slightly before placing it back in the main display.

Would you like a step-by-step walkthrough for the cutting and gluing process, or do you need safety tips regarding palytoxin protection before you start?

Fragging zoas (zoanthids and palythoas) is relatively straightforward, but having the right tools makes the process clean, safe, and successful. Because zoas grow as polyps on a mat or attached to a piece of rock/skeleton, your tool choices focus on precision and secure bonding.

Best Bone Cutters for Coral Propagation

When cutting zoas, you are often snipping through a thin piece of aragonite rubble, old plug, or skeleton rather than dense branching SPS.

Standard Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel Bone Cutters (e.g., Oceans Wonders Bone Cutters or generic 6" reef bone cutters): These are the community gold standard. Look for surgical-grade stainless steel to prevent rust in saltwater environments. A 6-inch pair gives you enough leverage to clip through small bits of rock or frag plugs easily.[1]
Maxspect Coral Pruner / Crescent Cutters: Premium options designed specifically for aquariums with ergonomic grips and hardened jaws. They provide a very clean snap, though standard medical/bone cutters do the exact same job for a fraction of the price.
Tip for Zoa fragging: You can also use a sharp scalpel or razor blade (like a#1 1 scalpel) if you are just peeling or cutting the mat of the zoanthids off a flat surface rather than clipping rock.

Best Glue Gel for Coral Propagation

You must use a 100% cyanoacrylate gel (never regular liquid super glue, which runs everywhere and can damage the coral tissue).

Seachem Reef Glue: Widely favored because it comes in an aluminum tube instead of cheap plastic bottles. The metal tube keeps the glue from drying out prematurely in your supply box and offers great extrusion control. It is roughly 17x thicker than standard super glue, meaning it stays in a nice ball where you put it.[1]
Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) Extra Thick Gel / Bob Smith Industries (BSI) Maxi-Cure CA: BSI Maxi-Cure is a hobbyist favorite across the reefing community for thick gap-filling gel. Many reefers buy generic or bulk cyanoacrylate gel labeled safe for aquariums because it performs identically to branded "coral" glues at a lower cost.
Tip for gluing zoas: Zoas produce a lot of slime (mucus) when stressed or cut. Dry the bottom of the zoa plug/mat and the frag plug with a paper towel as much as possible, put a dollop of gel on the plug, and quickly press the zoa into it. Dip the whole thing briefly in a bowl of tank water to skin over the glue before placing it back in the flow.

If you want, I can share a step-by-step guide on how to safely peel and glue zoanthid mats or give you tips on safety gear (like eye protection and gloves, since zoas can contain palytoxin) . Let me know how you'd like to proceed!

For zoanthid (zoa) fragging, I would actually not make a bone cutter your primary cutting tool. Bone cutters are great for breaking rock/skeleton, but zoas are soft corals and you usually want a clean cut through the mat while leaving a little bit of the original substrate attached. A sharp scalpel/razor plus good gel glue is the ideal setup.

Best tools for zoa propagation

Cutting tool

Best overall:

Tunze Coral Cutting Pliers / similar quality stainless coral cutters — excellent if you need to snap pieces of rock or frag plugs.
DR Instruments Ultimate Coral Frag Kit — a good all-around kit if you plan to frag more than zoas (includes multiple cutting tools).

For zoas specifically, I’d add:

A #10 or #11 scalpel with replaceable blades, or a fresh single-edge razor.
Small stainless forceps/tweezers for handling plugs.

A lot of zoa fraggers use bone cutters to remove a chunk of the rock under the colony, then use a blade to separate polyps cleanly.

Best coral glue gel

My top picks:

Bob Smith Industries IC-Gel Cyanoacrylate Gel — probably the most popular reef hobby choice. It is very thick, holds its shape, and works well for attaching zoa frags to plugs or rubble.
Bulk Reef Supply Extra Thick Gel Super Glue — excellent if you are doing lots of frags; the thicker formula makes mounting easier.
Two Little Fishies CorAffix Pro Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Gel — another reef-specific thick gel option.

My recommended zoa fragging kit

If I were setting up a simple home propagation station:

Stainless bone cutters (for breaking rubble/plug sections)
#10 scalpel + spare blades
Fine forceps
Thick cyanoacrylate gel (IC-Gel or BRS Extra Thick)
Ceramic frag plugs
Nitrile gloves + eye protection

One important note: wear gloves and eye protection when fragging zoas/palys. Some zoanthids and related corals can contain palytoxin, which is hazardous if it gets into cuts, eyes, or becomes aerosolized during cutting.

For a zoa garden, the best workflow is usually: chip a small piece of rock with 2–5 polyps → glue the rock chip to a plug → let it recover in lower flow for a few days.

If you tell me whether your zoas are on a big rock, frag plug, or bare mat, I can suggest the exact cutting method.

Sources cited in this answer6

When fragging zoanthids (zoas), you are usually cutting through a soft mat (stolen) or a small piece of attached rock/plug rather than heavy stony branches. Because of this, you want a sharp, precise tool and an ethyl cyanoacrylate gel that won’t run all over the polyps.

The Best Bone Cutters (Coral Cutters)

While traditional stainless steel medical bone cutters work, aquarium-specific surgical stainless steel cutters are preferred because they resist saltwater corrosion much better.

Made with surgical-grade stainless steel, these 6-inch cutters are sharp, durable, and have a slim profile. They are fantastic if your zoas are encrusted on small pieces of rubble or frag plugs that you need to clip through.[1][2]

Known for exceptionally high-quality surgical steel, ergonomic/grippy handles for wet hands, and a strong coil spring that doesn't feel loose or mushy.[1]

Alternative: If your zoas are purely on a soft rubbery mat and not on hard calcium carbonate skeleton/rock, a pair of sharp sharp stainless steel coral scissors (like those found in the Oceans Wonders Propagation Kit ) are actually easier for slicing cleanly through the mat than bone cutters.[1]

The Best Glue Gel

You must use 100% cyanoacrylate gel (never regular super glue liquid, which runs and suffocates polyps).

Widely considered a gold standard. It comes in an aluminum tube (which prevents the whole tube from drying out prematurely like plastic bottles) and features a thick gel formula that gives you great precision without running.[1]

[Aquaforest AF Gel Fix ](https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquaforest-glue-bundle | Aquaforest): An ultra-thick cyanoacrylate gel that cures rapidly and stays put right where you drop it, making it easy to attach loose zoa mats to a new plug.[1]

A favorite in the reefing community for being exceptionally thick (almost paste-like) and holding immediately underwater without instantly turning into a milky cloud.

Pro-Tip for Zoa Fragging: Zoas contain palytoxin (depending on the species, though common zoas are usually lower risk, caution is still vital). Always wear eye protection and waterproof gloves , especially if you are squeezing or scraping near them, and frag in a container of separate tank water rather than the main display.

If you want, I can share a quick step-by-step dipping and mounting routine to ensure your zoa frags heal fast and don't melt! Let me know if you need that.

If you’re specifically fragging zoanthids, I’d actually use a combination of bone cutters + a sharp scalpel/razor, rather than relying on bone cutters alone. Zoas are soft-tissue corals, and the cutters are mainly useful for breaking/chipping the rock underneath them.