Australian live rock?

d3vhound · Feb 19, 2020

Wanted to buy some live rock and originally had my mind set on KP Aquatics but saw an LFS in Austin, TX had posted about Live rock from Australia 5 months ago. I figured what's the harm in asking if they still had some and they replied that they do. Being in TX I'd imagine I could get same day air-freight shipping which would allow the rock to only be out of water for ~2-3 hours. The only problem/concern is trusting that it is indeed live rock from Australia. The only documentation he said he could provide was a paper from CITES with Scleractinia on it. Pricing is $15/lb as well. Quite the premium..

hoju74 · Feb 19, 2020

Seems fishy...no pun intended.
As far as I've seen, the only places I've seen doing live rock are places like KP Aquatics, TB, etc.

YankeeTankee · Feb 23, 2020

I can tell you that I know some reputable wholesalers who did have a large quantity of Australian live rock several months back. That coincides with the timeline, no idea if its from that source though, I'd make the drive to visually inspect.

Devaji · Feb 23, 2020

for that price point I would want to see it in person even if you have to drive a few hrs worth it.

Slawman · Feb 23, 2020

Here in Sydney you can get awesome live rock which is sold in 20 kilos (44lb) boxes for around AUD 350 (US230). That is premium stuff from Cairns marine.

I have no idea how you might tell if it is for real or not, I would think good live rock is pretty similar no matter where is came from...?

YankeeTankee · Feb 25, 2020

Slawman said:
Here in Sydney you can get awesome live rock which is sold in 20 kilos (44lb) boxes for around AUD 350 (US230). That is premium stuff from Cairns marine.

Words cannot describe my jealousy ;Drool.

Ken Goldsmith · Dec 13, 2022

d3vhound said:
Wanted to buy some live rock and originally had my mind set on KP Aquatics but saw an LFS in Austin, TX had posted about Live rock from Australia 5 months ago. I figured what's the harm in asking if they still had some and they replied that they do. Being in TX I'd imagine I could get same day air-freight shipping which would allow the rock to only be out of water for ~2-3 hours. The only problem/concern is trusting that it is indeed live rock from Australia. The only documentation he said he could provide was a paper from CITES with Scleractinia on it. Pricing is $15/lb as well. Quite the premium..

You have to figure out the freight from somewhere as well to add to that price.

ChiCity · Dec 13, 2022

Slawman said:
Here in Sydney you can get awesome live rock which is sold in 20 kilos (44lb) boxes for around AUD 350 (US230). That is premium stuff from Cairns marine.

yeah, but…
it’s like… your… backyard

(ftr, us places like unique are charging round $25lb)

Ken Goldsmith · Dec 13, 2022

d3vhound said:
Wanted to buy some live rock and originally had my mind set on KP Aquatics but saw an LFS in Austin, TX had posted about Live rock from Australia 5 months ago. I figured what's the harm in asking if they still had some and they replied that they do. Being in TX I'd imagine I could get same day air-freight shipping which would allow the rock to only be out of water for ~2-3 hours. The only problem/concern is trusting that it is indeed live rock from Australia. The only documentation he said he could provide was a paper from CITES with Scleractinia on it. Pricing is $15/lb as well. Quite the premium..

That what they say. By the way, the rock comes wrapped in wet newspaper not water. I believe there is also a freight charge.

Ken Goldsmith · Dec 13, 2022

ChiCity said:
yeah, but…
it’s like… your… backyard

(ftr, us places like unique are charging round $25lb)

I guess that is like getting Florida live rock for us US guys, which you really can't get anymore. However, I remember that Australia was pretty tough in exporting invertebrates other than the sea apple. Have they loosened up. I used to import fish from Australia in the 80's and 90's.

Tired · Dec 13, 2022

Unique Corals is selling Australian live rock in small amounts. They're definitely importing corals from there, and I guess they're adding some live rock in as well, so Australia must be allowing exports.