Importance of Named Corals

[Brandon McHenry]

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted but I wanted to start a discussion about the importance of buying named corals when it comes to achieving vibrant, multicolored corals. As I've finally gotten into the groove of my own tank with growth exploding I've noticed that many of my pieces, some over 12 inches across, have a more lackluster appearance. Majority of my corals are no-namers and purchased a long time ago. However, those that I've gotten more recently, especially those from places like WWC and ORA have always looked better much quicker.

So, who thinks it's important to buy corals with either known names or heritages and who thinks you can achieve the same coloration from random corals without knowing the background.

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

Names are for people that like charge more.

 

[MRodrigues1991]

Obviously, the names of the corals have nothing to do with coloration. There are so many factors that can go into the coloration of corals, lighting, water conditions, flow, etc.

Just so happens that many of the nicer colored corals are obviously capitalized on (named, higher price) to get a higher price tag. All about the supply and demand and I don't blame the retailers at all for crazy prices of named corals either, I would do the same thing in their position if someone is willing to pay for it. Capitalism baby.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

I think if you're lucky enough to find an insanely color wild specimen than more power to you. The problem I find is that if it looks that good someone has probably already named it.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Don't you think that you are more likely to find a really nice piece that happens to have a name than one that doesn't? I know the name has no effect on the coloration of the color but those pieces are typically associated with long term acclimation to an aquarium setting and are generally dry nice pieces all around. I've just noticed in my own aquarium that the ones that just so happened to have a name associated with them were much nicer than my other colonies.

 

[Scorpius]

I've seen the same Acropora named differently from different vendors.

 

[MRodrigues1991]

Don't you think that you are more likely to find a really nice piece that happens to have a name than one that doesn't? I know the name has no effect on the coloration of the color but those pieces are typically associated with long term acclimation to an aquarium setting and are generally dry nice pieces all around. I've just noticed in my own aquarium that the ones that just so happened to have a name associated with them were much nicer than my other colonies.

I will agree with that statement and with @Ty Hamatake. It is surely easier to find ones already named as they have been cherry picked and trademarked per se.

I was speaking to your original statement where you said there is an importance of buying named corals, I guess I just read it the wrong way but I'd say if your buying online no way are you going to find crazy colored colors that are cheap and unnamed, you can find gems like that in LFS however.

 

[Keepswiming]

I think any coral can have potential to turn out nice, it all depends on the coral. That being said, named corals are USUALLY in captivity longer, therefore likely to develop colors quicker simply because they are use to the conditions.

 

[red13]

Many of the vendors invest, and risk time and money finding the crazy colored pieces. Not ever coral comes in colored up, some take months. Not every coral turns out crazy colors, or super bright. The vendors still have to buy the less desirable pieces, and that is where you see some of the insane prices. With that said not every named pieces will look amazing, I have seen many named, and expensive "duds". Dont chase names, find what you like and can afford.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Don't you think that you are more likely to find a really nice piece that happens to have a name than one that doesn't? I know the name has no effect on the coloration of the color but those pieces are typically associated with long term acclimation to an aquarium setting and are generally dry nice pieces all around. I've just noticed in my own aquarium that the ones that just so happened to have a name associated with them were much nicer than my other colonies.

I think this is probably the better way to ask the question. So it's not whether or not named corals look nicer, but rather it's more likely that nicer looking corals will get named. Also, don't assume that because it has a name, it will look nice. So I would say:

1) Nice looking corals will generally get named (sometimes several times and several different names).
2) Some named corals are NOT nice looking...but somebody thought they should name it anyway.
3) It's usually a good idea to find nice looking corals that both vendors AND hobbyists agree are nice looking...better odds it will look nice for you.

Also, I'll add that I find it's more about shopping from reputable vendors who honestly evaluate their stock rather than those who seem to think that everything that has ever passed through their waters is nice and should be named. Once you find those guys, keep shopping from them!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I guess my experience has influenced my asking of this question. I'm my personal experience I've had much better luck those corals that have had names/or came from a reputable vendor. Maybe it's just an artifact of me purchasing pieces a while back before I knew much about SPS. It's just funny how some of my biggest and oldest colonies have the least exciting colors while my smallest and newest colonies from vendors have the best coloration.

 

[fishboys]

Every single coral was a no name at one point. Its also genetics. If its brown when its harvested chances are its not going to be a gem in the tank. I apologize if I am missing something.

 

[hart24601]

I think it depends. Named corals to me used to be ORA - a great looking coral that kept it color in captivity over generations of fragging and you know what colonies will look like. To me that is awesome and the best.

However in past few years we have smaller places that bring in wild colonies (which some are amazing) , take pic, name it and send frags. We have no idea if they will hold colors long term or in colonies. I feel the older classics they grew out to make sure healthy and color was suitable for establishing a lineage. But now who knows what named coral will look like as they grow.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Still pretty new here as I am just getting into my second year.. But I have a different opinion on the name of corals and also some of the higher prices.
Most of the ones I buy at my lfs, I am lucky to get home and remember the name. Ones that I buy online and put in my tank I might remember the names for a week or so. Although when you add a higher price to the named corals, it's priced to help you remember the name.
Just my lighthearted take on this topic.[emoji41]

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I think it depends. Named corals to me used to be ORA - a great looking coral that kept it color in captivity over generations of fragging and you know what colonies will look like. To me that is awesome and the best.

However in past few years we have smaller places that bring in wild colonies (which some are amazing) , take pic, name it and send frags. We have no idea if they will hold colors long term or in colonies. I feel the older classics they grew out to make sure healthy and color was suitable for establishing a lineage. But now who knows what named coral will look like as they grow.

I think you hit the nail on the head here. I think it's the lineage that is important when picking a coral. You know where it's coming from, how long it's been there, what conditions it likes and what it's supposed to look like. It also is probably pretty accustomed to life in an aquarium. These corals tend to have names attached to them but maybe it's more important to focus on the "where" instead of the "what name". ORA is an excellent example of a place that produces consistently nice pieces, all with known heritage.

 

[happyhourhero]

I think you hit the nail on the head here. I think it's the lineage that is important when picking a coral. You know where it's coming from, how long it's been there, what conditions it likes and what it's supposed to look like. It also is probably pretty accustomed to life in an aquarium. These corals tend to have names attached to them but maybe it's more important to focus on the "where" instead of the "what name". ORA is an excellent example of a place that produces consistently nice pieces, all with known heritage.

Summed up what i came here to say.

I have some nice pieces that are no names but with the named pieces, you at least know what they are capable of if given the right conditions and it is kind of cool to know the "pedigree" on some corals. Coloring up no names is fun too tho.

 

[Pola0502ds]

Should the question really be how important is it to choose wisely who you purchase your corals from? You know a place like WWC has the best equipment, husbandry, and practices to achieve awesome looking corals compared to company X who may not?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Summed up what i came here to say.

I have some nice pieces that are no names but with the named pieces, you at least know what they are capable of if given the right conditions and it is kind of cool to know the "pedigree" on some corals. Coloring up no names is fun too tho.

Of course some no names can be great. I have a pink acro with no name that is very nice (one of my favorite pieces). I never intended to give the impression that no namers are bad, maybe just harder to find nice ones.

Should the question really be how important is it to choose wisely who you purchase your corals from? You know a place like WWC has the best equipment, husbandry, and practices to achieve awesome looking corals compared to company X who may not?

I see your point and I somewhat agree with it. Places like WWC and ORA are known to have great corals. However, we identify their particular corals by how successful they are. So if my LFS orders from ORA, and they have a completely different setup then them, that doesn't mean I won't by the ORA piece over a random frag. That's because I associate the name with success. Maybe my bad experience with no name duds is fueling my opinion on this

 

[scardall]

Many of the vendors invest, and risk time and money finding the crazy colored pieces. Not ever coral comes in colored up, some take months. Not every coral turns out crazy colors, or super bright. The vendors still have to buy the less desirable pieces, and that is where you see some of the insane prices. With that said not every named pieces will look amazing, I have seen many named, and expensive "duds". Dont chase names, find what you like and can afford.

Not every named coral is colored up like you see in pics. One of my LFS that has high end corals has a Walt Disney Mother colony and it is not brightly colored as you see in pics. The colors are rather pastel. I was so disappointed. I have a few high dollar corals and the one that I'm not sure of pops all the time. ( bright bluish purple all over) JF Pappa Smurf ????????????????? This one looks better over all than my RR pink floyd or RR gate keeper. I do have ORA's and they are descent. I believe that alot of corals can color up nicely under the correct conditions for that color and not because it is a named coral.

 

[nashorn]

name corals so you can see its full Color potential in other peoples tank.