I've addressed it on other forums, not sure about here, but here's my take on "the name thing". If this should be it's own thread, I apologize in advance.
This is not the only hobby that uses non-scientific names to make certain specimens stand out in the crowd! In all my hobbies involving live plants and animals it is very common and coral are the only hobby I've seen it frowned upon. I think the problem we might be having is that the "clonal" names and "cultivar/strain" names are being combined into one name. Here's some examples:
In the orchid society, plants judged to be the best at a given event can be awarded. There is a big formal convention on what's involved I won't bore you with, but basically if you have an example of a species/hybrid that is deemed exceptional it is awarded and given a Clonal Name to separate it from others of the same type, even it's siblings.
Paphiopedilum rothschildianum 'Canadian Club' FCC/AOS for example. A regular blooming size
Paphiopedilum rothschildianum will cost you a little over a hundred bucks, whereas a division of this awarded plant (a clone if you will) sells for the tens of thousands of dollars since it is one of the best ever seen and is in much higher demand. An orchid doesn't need an award to have a Clonal Name however, and any piece of it still gets the same Clonal Name as what it came from so you know the exact plant you are getting or using to breed with.
In Killifish, it's a little different. With them, you use a Strain Name. Basically the same species of fish can be found in numerous small ponds and streams and all are a little different to those with an eye for them. To keep these lines separate, they are given a Strain Name to differentiate between them. For example,
Fundulopanchax gardneri P-81 and
Fundulopanchax gardneri Makurdi. Both look very similar with only minor coloration differences, but killi people want to keep their lines distinct when breeding the next generation. The fish are not genetically identical like when using Clonal Names on plants, but all share similar regional characteristics so when you buy a P-81 you know what markings to expect.
The coral naming is more unique in that it was brought out by hobbiests wanting to be able to differentiate their same species when there was no formal legislature already in place to do so. When I buy a Superman Monti, I don't want some pale blue with orange polyped danae fresh from Fiji! I want a piece of the original or a piece that can be traced to the original so I know exactly what I'm getting and what to expect. People new to the hobby see Marvin or Dave's avatars (not to single you guys out
) and ask "What are those??" They hear the name Nuclear Green and so look for that name from sellers. If they buy something with that name, and don't get what they wanted, it's a crappy lesson to learn, especially early on in the hobby!
The big problem seems to be with more common zoa colonies where instead of lineage tracing, the name is used as a strain name like Fire and Ice or Dragon Eyes. The most controversal one I see is Armor of Gods, and I think it's because of this double edged sword. I personally see the name as a lineage tracing name, or Clonal Name even, and the people wanting to know what they have see it as a Strain Name and wonder why it wouldn't trade for as much as a "True AoG" when it looks similar to the pic on Zoaid.com.
Sorry for the long post, I hope it makes sense!
