Named Corals

[MelReefer]

The answer to this is probably very obvious but are these big companies like TSA and JF getting all these new named corals from the ocean or are they hybrids? Let’s take TSA The Fuzz for example. Is the Fuzz a hybrid or just from the ocean?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

just pieces that start as wild caught. A little editing, fancy name and bam, new coral.

 

[C. Eymann]

just pieces that start as wild caught. A little editing, fancy name and bam, new coral.

Eh, I some what disagree to an extent.

Many "named" corals started as something pretty plain, but after months and even years in some cases adapting to capitive aquarium life and artificial lighting, good husbandry they developed into some stunning looking pieces.

Each "named" coral is a species of a genus, hybrids do exist, but taxonomically speaking only a few are actually classified as hybrids, one example is Acropora prolifera which has genetically been shown to be a hybrid of Acropora palmata and Acropora cervicornis.

TSA's "the fuzz" is most likely a acropora paniculata that has developed nice pigmentation over time in captivity and artificial lighting.

 

[MelReefer]

Eh, I some what disagree to an extent.

Many "named" corals started as something pretty plain, but after months and even years in some cases adapting to capitive aquarium life and artificial lighting, good husbandry they developed into some stunning looking pieces.

Each "named" coral is a species of a genus, hybrids do exist, but taxonomically speaking only a few are actually classified as hybrids, one example is Acropora prolifera which has genetically been shown to be a hybrid of Acropora palmata and Acropora cervicornis.

TSA's "the fuzz" is most likely a acropora paniculata that has developed nice pigmentation over time in captivity and artificial lighting.

Wow thanks for the info.

 

[AcroNem]

Well, yes, they all come from the ocean. A lot of named corals that have many hobby names will often be one species or share a Genus, if that makes sense. But yes, they're brought in, often kept in captivity for some time, put under a lot of blue light and edited heavily and then given some catchy name to drive hype and price up.

 

[MelReefer]

I know that corals can change their colors when they move tanks as it is a different environment. Let’s say I had a Ora pearly berry. I put it in my tank and it turns yellow. Is this realistic and if something like that were to happen would it be a hybrid?

 

[AcroNem]

I know that corals can change their colors when they move tanks as it is a different environment. Let’s say I had a Ora pearly berry. I put it in my tank and it turns yellow. Is this realistic and if something like that were to happen would it be a hybrid?

Color changes and slight morphological differences due to environmental factors would not change the species of a coral, and something like a "hybrid" as far as taxonomy is concerned would require it to be bred with another species of the same Genus coral (most often)
It is realistic to assume that a coral can and will change colors or growth patterns in different systems, but it would remain the same species.

 

[BlazinNano]

In my opinion most are just from the ocean and aquacultured. There are hybrids but I don't think they are the most common practice.

 

[AcroNem]

I think we're getting mixed up here. A hybrid would be, for example, Acropora prolifera, which is Acropora cervicornis x Acropora palmata. A hybrid of the two species. It happens but is fairly rare. Named corals in captivity are not hybrids because different vendors have different color variations.

Edit, I just saw that example had been shared. Anyway, I'll let my statement stand.