How are signature corals found and named??

Cassian · Jun 18, 2020

Hey all,
I’ve got a question. I’m importing a large amount of wild coral soon and starting a small frag business from my home. I want to know, how are signature corals named and found? I understand that you would typically only name something unique, but how does one know it’s unique? There are so many zoas out there, there’s probably no way to search every single zoa and see if it’s something unique.

Another question, what’s the chances of getting something unique in a large box order straight from the ocean?

Webslinger · Jun 18, 2020

Easy the crazier the name you come up with the more you can charge.

PatW · Jun 18, 2020

Like webslinger says, there seems to be no limit on names. There are certain corals that are well known. There seem to be two or even three tiers. There are corals that are sort of ordinary and may just get called something like Jack’s green slimer. And there are eye popping corals that are called “signature” corals. Check out some of Vivid aquariums Signature corals.

Sleeping Giant · Jun 18, 2020

It's about as logical as marijuana names to me....IMO it's just a way to get people to pay more for a smaller frag. No rhyme or reason

AcroNem · Jun 18, 2020

Just pick whatever one you want and pick a name and a crazy price, generate some hype and you're good to go. Simple as that. It can be a little difficult to get good coloration out of fresh imports, even keeping them alive at first can be touchy if you've never done it before. Make sure everything in your holding system is stable and mature, have coral dip ready just in case (almost all wild have some kind of parasite) and lighting you can easily adjust as they will be very sensitive. Best of luck

Cassian · Jun 18, 2020

Thank you all for your replies! I’m definitely going to dip them well

Cell · Jun 18, 2020

Pretty much if an LFS starts growing it out on their own and fragging it to sell, they seem inclined to rename it however they please. If they simply buy frags and resell them, I don't think giving them a new name should be part of the process. It's pick and choose though. There are some well known corals with well known names that it wouldn't make sense to rename.

Cassian · Jun 18, 2020

Cell said:
Pretty much if an LFS starts growing it out on their own and fragging it to sell, they seem inclined to rename it however they please. If they simply buy frags and resell them, I don't think giving them a new name should be part of the process. It's pick and choose though. There are some well known corals with well known names that it wouldn't make sense to rename.

that makes sense. Since mine would be from the Wild with no lineage, it shouldn’t be a problem naming them though, right?

AcroNem · Jun 18, 2020

No it won't be a problem, they aren't the corals real names you may do as you wish.

Cell · Jun 18, 2020

Just be aware that if you give it a random name and put a fat price on it, there will be hecklers. There will probably be hecklers regardless, but if it truly has no established name, it's fair game imo.

User1 · Jun 18, 2020

LukeWolf said:
that makes sense. Since mine would be from the Wild with no lineage, it shouldn’t be a problem naming them though, right?

Sort of correct yes. You are correct in that you are starting with wild stock. There is nothing wrong with that and in some cases a better deal. However, it may take you a while to culture the prized brightly colored people pay stupid money for with more stupid names. If that makes sense.

Doesn't mean you wont' get there but at the end of the day acropora is the genus and the species are elkhorn, staghorn, and another 150 or so thrown in for good measure. As it grows and matures call it what it is as YOU sourced it. Then, over time, if it morphs, you can call it the yaba daba doo south side of key west stag and tac on a couple zero's just because and sip on a harvey wallbanger smiling to the bank.

Cassian · Jun 18, 2020

saf1 said:
Sort of correct yes. You are correct in that you are starting with wild stock. There is nothing wrong with that and in some cases a better deal. However, it may take you a while to culture the prized brightly colored people pay stupid money for with more stupid names. If that makes sense.

Doesn't mean you wont' get there but at the end of the day acropora is the genus and the species are elkhorn, staghorn, and another 150 or so thrown in for good measure. As it grows and matures call it what it is as YOU sourced it. Then, over time, if it morphs, you can call it the yaba daba doo south side of key west stag and tac on a couple zero's just because and sip on a harvey wallbanger smiling to the bank.

haha, yes that makes sense! Thanks for the info!!

User1 · Jun 18, 2020

LukeWolf said:
haha, yes that makes sense! Thanks for the info!!

Very welcome. Remember you and I could source the same coral and depending on our lighting and location and a slew of other things compare said coral a year later they look different

That is all I mean. Best of luck. Aquaculture is a good thing for the hobby.

Have a awesome day.

cvrle1 · Jun 18, 2020

Cassian · Jun 18, 2020

cvrle1 said:

lol ;Hilarious

Jacked Reefer · Jun 18, 2020

I actually like people naming imported coral. See the issue is if names didn’t exist coral would be kind of boring. I am currently planning a list of coral I will add to my tank and if there was nobody naming anything I would not be able to do such. I would much rather purchase a coral named JF jolt or CC Disney Jr. as it is easy to remember and counjours an image in my mind. While orange and green acropora tenuis #3147 sounds drab and is a PITA to remember. I also don’t think names add to much price onto a coral as I would still pay out the butt for an unnamed coral that looked as good as some of the named ones. Possibly even more as I would feel part of a special club. But I do honestly believe that coral needs to be named more. I was trying to find a specific kind of rhodactis shroom today for a customer and typing in random colors didn’t seem to work. But if I put in a named coral results come up instantly. Corals I would abound naming tho are micromussa and other mighty morphin coral as they tend to change color at the drop of a hat. But please name. If there’s a cool coral out there I want to know 1: who to buy it from. 2: what it looks like in other tanks (google search results!!!).

tehmadreefer · Jun 18, 2020

Well back in the real
Days of collecting in the hobby, it was usually those that went and collected such corals, usually nice colored ones, grew them out and then put their name on them as “signature” corals.

These days. It’s just naming them whatever the seller wants without regard. The crazier the name and hype the more a seller can price them .

Example. Vendors buy large amounts of wild stuff they chop up, slap a name on and sell. Keep some to continue growing, etc. no actual story or collection effort.

Do some research on the wwc pink duster for an example of how corals got their names back in the real days.