Fragged the green hairy shrooms!

[jdiver]

Last night I finally summoned the courage to make the first cut and I fragged one of my green hairy mushrooms! There happened to be one that had moved mostly onto the substrate, so all it took was a little snip to get him off the rock. From there I cut it into 4 (somewhat) equal pieces. I must say it was pretty disconcerting when I made the first cut and the mushroom's "guts" were exposed. I have 2 of the pieces sitting on crushed coral substrate and the other 2 pieces sitting on some rubble rock. So far so good. The pieces look healthy and the mother colony is expanded fully. Now I just have to wait to see what happens.

 

Does anyone have any idea about how long it will take until a new mushroom will form (mouth and all) from each piece?

[tinyreef]

mileage may vary.

 

if they attach you should expect recovery and growth in about 3~4 weeks.

 

pedal laceration (natural) is the fastest growth method (as quick as 7 days for a little mushroom).

 

edit: sorry, that doesn't include the mouth.

[jdiver]

Thanks for the info. Are you saying the 3-4 week guesstimate doesn't include a new mouth growing? I would have assumed the mouth would form early in the process to be able to eat. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how it progresses.

[tinyreef]

logically it should be the mouth first but i think (not being a marine biologist) the anenome goes into photosynthesis first.

 

i usually see the tubercles(?) develop first during budding as the first evidence of a viable offspring. the mouth may develop relatively quick but it may be very minute as the animal continues to develop its gastro-cavity (whatchamacallits, stomach, colon, etc.). maybe one of the tubercles i normally see is actually the mouth. ???