Oh the names...the glorious glorious names.

[AquaArtist]

So what makes a coral “signature” or “name branded” over the same species type without the fancy name?
Brighter colors, pigments, growth patterns?

I say this with some skepticism. The hot names back in the day of internet pioneering coral sales were Steve Tyree, Reefer Madness, ORA, etc.
They started all the gimicky names for common coral species that live on the reef.
Ok so they were aqua-cultured and removed a few times from the ocean, grown in controlled environments, fragged, and regrown to make them more hardy for aquariums.
So the funky names, the non-scientific ones we all get bombarded with from a marketing stand point.

It reminds me of weed strains more than anything else, but the big difference is we as humans developed those new cannabis varieties thru real cross pollination and development.
So to me those kooky names are more justified.

None of that is happening in the coral world.

Somebody went out into the ocean and yanked this amazing coral from the sea with CRAZY plethora of colors that evolved all on its own with no help from humans.

So I have seen corals names change over the years from one fun name to the next.

Do you all like the names or would you really prefer to know the name on a more accurate scientific level from a more common sales perspective?
I like the fun names, but after being in the hobby for a long time now, I don’t think they help us much.
They change like the seasons depending on who the big sellers are.
It keeps us from being more accurate and confident in our knowledge.

If you sell corals and call them signature, or name brand thats a bit far fetched when nature did all the work and you were just at the right place and the right time.

So who or where is the epicenter of the designer names these corals are named?
Is it the one who sells the most and everyone else agrees?



In the great words of Thor Ordinson,
“All words are made up”

 

[sfin52]

So what makes a coral “signature” or “name branded” over the same species type without the fancy name?
Brighter colors, pigments, growth patterns?

I say this with some skepticism. The hot names back in the day of internet pioneering coral sales were Steve Tyree, Reefer Madness, ORA, etc.
They started all the gimicky names for common coral species that live on the reef.
Ok so they were aqua-cultured and removed a few times from the ocean, grown in controlled environments, fragged, and regrown to make them more hardy for aquariums.
So the funky names, the non-scientific ones we all get bombarded with from a marketing stand point.

It reminds me of weed strains more than anything else, but the big difference is we as humans developed those new cannabis varieties thru real cross pollination and development.
So to me those kooky names are more justified.

None of that is happening in the coral world.

Somebody went out into the ocean and yanked this amazing coral from the sea with CRAZY plethora of colors that evolved all on its own with no help from humans.

So I have seen corals names change over the years from one fun name to the next.

Do you all like the names or would you really prefer to know the name on a more accurate scientific level from a more common sales perspective?
I like the fun names, but after being in the hobby for a long time now, I don’t think they help us much.
They change like the seasons depending on who the big sellers are.
It keeps us from being more accurate and confident in our knowledge.

If you sell corals and call them signature, or name brand thats a bit far fetched when nature did all the work and you were just at the right place and the right time.

So who or where is the epicenter of the designer names these corals are named?
Is it the one who sells the most and everyone else agrees?



In the great words of Thor Ordinson,
“All words are made up”

Jason fox comes to mind
Tidel gardens
Top shelf

 

[AquaArtist]

Jason fox comes to mind
Tidel gardens
Top shelf

To me they feel like the second class.
Like there was Saved by the bell OG and then Saved by the bell “the new class”

that’s Tidal gardens, Jason Fox, Topshelf.

look at al the new companies that have popped up on Facebook.

Kush corals and all these others sellin corals just buying from vendors and reselling.
Only the names change.

 

[JCTReefer]

You want to see some crazy blown out of proportion names for basic corals. Just pay a visit to extreme corals website. It’s almost hilarious how they label their corals. I mean like.
“SUPER ULTRA YELLOW PREDATOR BLOOD GLOW IN THE DARK ULTRA GRADE PEE IN YOUR PANTS AUSSIE GONIASTREA SHOWPIECE. ULTRA ULTRA RARE.
Now that is just CRAZY!!!
And there’s absolutely nothing rare about these corals! I too have wondered how some of these corals get their signature names. And who the originator or originators are. Not common names like Candy Cane corals or Hammers, but the designer names for all the different Zoas, LPS and SPS. I know people like Jason Fox will actually collect his own stuff directly from the ocean. That’s where he’s got some of his signature stuff going I believe. And then you see other vendors selling WWC this, JF this, TSA this. I wonder if these companies actually have rights to the lineage. I’m not sure how that works. They all came from the ocean at one point or the other. I think the names are a bit ridiculous in some cases. I do think it’s helpful to know if its an Indo Gold Hammer Or Australian. And I like that some vendors actually specify whether it’s Euphyllia Paraancora or Euphyllia Ancora. This is just an example. I could really do without the fancy names though. Just my opinion.

 

[Alaeriel]

I'd definitely prefer more scientific names. Its much easier to research what a specific type of acropora needs for its parameters and specifically which trace elements it prefers. Looking for things with random names like a Captain America or a Golden Gods just seems ridiculous for one, and its one more step separating you from the answers you need to keep this living creature healthy, which is all that should really matter.

 

[sfin52]

I'd definitely prefer more scientific names. Its much easier to research what a specific type of acropora needs for its parameters and specifically which trace elements it prefers. Looking for things with random names like a Captain America or a Golden Gods just seems ridiculous for one, and its one more step separating you from the answers you need to keep this living creature healthy, which is all that should really matter.

To get the insane colors they really up the par and blues. I read it close to 800 + on the par. It crazy

 

[Alaeriel]

To get the insane colors they really up the par and blues. I read it close to 800 + on the par. It crazy

Exactly; when you bring home that ULTRA MEGA BUZZWORD ZOA, you're often disappointed in how drab it really is.

 

[AquaArtist]

Don’t forget al

Exactly; when you bring home that ULTRA MEGA BUZZWORD ZOA, you're often disappointed in how drab it really is.

Don’t forget how much photo editing goes into the picture after the lights are adjusted to black light levels at an after hour rave club.

 

[AquaArtist]

To get the insane colors they really up the par and blues. I read it close to 800 + on the par. It crazy

Yeah! It’s now standard to present all corals for sale under actinic light only.
That’s just a small part of the whole lighting picture.

 

[KrisReef]

The name is there so you know how much you get to pay for it. Also, there is a thing that happens that I've noticed, the more I pay for a coral the more likely it turns brown, rtn's and morphs into a beautiful coral skeleton.

 

[Glass Algae]

So what makes a coral “signature” or “name branded” over the same species type without the fancy name?
Brighter colors, pigments, growth patterns?

I say this with some skepticism. The hot names back in the day of internet pioneering coral sales were Steve Tyree, Reefer Madness, ORA, etc.
They started all the gimicky names for common coral species that live on the reef.
Ok so they were aqua-cultured and removed a few times from the ocean, grown in controlled environments, fragged, and regrown to make them more hardy for aquariums.
So the funky names, the non-scientific ones we all get bombarded with from a marketing stand point.

It reminds me of weed strains more than anything else, but the big difference is we as humans developed those new cannabis varieties thru real cross pollination and development.
So to me those kooky names are more justified.

None of that is happening in the coral world.

Somebody went out into the ocean and yanked this amazing coral from the sea with CRAZY plethora of colors that evolved all on its own with no help from humans.

So I have seen corals names change over the years from one fun name to the next.

Do you all like the names or would you really prefer to know the name on a more accurate scientific level from a more common sales perspective?
I like the fun names, but after being in the hobby for a long time now, I don’t think they help us much.
They change like the seasons depending on who the big sellers are.
It keeps us from being more accurate and confident in our knowledge.

If you sell corals and call them signature, or name brand thats a bit far fetched when nature did all the work and you were just at the right place and the right time.

So who or where is the epicenter of the designer names these corals are named?
Is it the one who sells the most and everyone else agrees?



In the great words of Thor Ordinson,
“All words are made up”

I've said it's funny that the names of coral are like cannabis names. It's just one of those things that I feel limits the ability for actual research. No scientist is going to talk about Super icky Stinky funk #113 it's just corny imo especially now in my 30s

I would way prefer scientific names with coral I feel it would help the research as well S the hobby

 

[AquaArtist]

I've said it's funny that the names of coral are like cannabis names. It's just one of those things that I feel limits the ability for actual research. No scientist is going to talk about Super icky Stinky funk #113 it's just corny imo especially now in my 30s

I would way prefer scientific names with coral I feel it would help the research as well S the hobby

I've said it's funny that the names of coral are like cannabis names. It's just one of those things that I feel limits the ability for actual research. No scientist is going to talk about Super icky Stinky funk #113 it's just corny imo especially now in my 30s

I would way prefer scientific names with coral I feel it would help the research as well S the hobby

 

[AquaArtist]

I agree with you.
It’s childish and sets back the hobby a little bit.
I know when I have friends come over I always give the real names and not the made up snickle fritz name.

 

[Glass Algae]

I agree with you.
It’s childish and sets back the hobby a little bit.
I know when I have friends come over I always give the real names and not the made up snickle fritz name.

Exactly how it is with me. I will give the real name and then in a goofy voice go "or as they call it online super glowy neon toxic Lakers game 4th qtr rebound zoanthid"

Even with cannabis it comes down to the hokey names will never be taken seriously. Doesn't help that the renaming and and false crosses in cannabis throw off everything to. Like I don't think anyone has true gorilla glue number 4 anymore.

Getting Inti this hobby it always made me snicker knowing if you let stoners name stuff it's always gunna be named after cartoons and cereal

 

[Michael White]

I see I’m coming late into this thread, but I agree the naming and ultra blue saturated blue photos are detracting from the hobby after people get past the initial kid in a candy store excitement. Scientific naming , more ethical photography, and showing colony shots for growth patterns would really help the hobby grow to a new level. Sure, if you are the first to bring a new variety or color morph into the trade, put your name on it, but a scientific name should be required to be attached so we know how to properly care for it. It’s why so many people have such hard time when they get to acros or sps in general. They’re starving those that naturally live in more nutrient dense water with ULNS tanks, and blasting deep water corals with high par values because they heard “sps” like high light and low nutrients.

 

[Max_nano]

It’s all the vendors attempts to market and distinguish themselves from a lot of similar sellers. I have found that different vendors then try to find a niche market within the coral business.

I think there are vendors that do a good job with photos, like Tidal garden, and show corals under different spectrum so you know what you’re getting.

This is a hobby and something fun, it’s a bit silly to get upset about how some vendors market their corals. You don’t like how someone like Aqua SD names every single coral they have? Then don’t buy from them, or ignore the names and buy what you want. You can always ask the vendor to help you ID with a more scientific name. And if you prefer how another seller markets their corals, then buy from them and speak with your dollar.

Try to keep that reefing time positive and look towards the good instead of putting a microscope on what bothers you

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I will also bump with thread with two words....
Gorilla Nipples.

 

[Michael White]

It’s all the vendors attempts to market and distinguish themselves from a lot of similar sellers. I have found that different vendors then try to find a niche market within the coral business.

I think there are vendors that do a good job with photos, like Tidal garden, and show corals under different spectrum so you know what you’re getting.

This is a hobby and something fun, it’s a bit silly to get upset about how some vendors market their corals. You don’t like how someone like Aqua SD names every single coral they have? Then don’t buy from them, or ignore the names and buy what you want. You can always ask the vendor to help you ID with a more scientific name. And if you prefer how another seller markets their corals, then buy from them and speak with your dollar.

Try to keep that reefing time positive and look towards the good instead of putting a microscope on what bothers you

I don’t thing people are being overly critical of anyone in particular up. I’ve been reefing for over a decade, and I know that’s not the longest period on here, but a lot of the newbies are getting ripped off with bad advice that is perpetuated by the way the hobby is marketed is what I’m getting at. I personally do verify the type of coral, growth forms it exhibits, a care needs; which is all helped tremendously if the seller knows the scientific name. I think the comments are more about encouraging practices which elevate the hobby, but maybe they came off wrong. I just see way to many young reefers getting burned out early because they get set up for failure, and the marketing practices are one of several components that cause that. On the flip side, names like Pink ******* chalice, banana hammock acro, etc are hilarious and keep the hobby fun.

 

[Crashnt24]

I see I’m coming late into this thread, but I agree the naming and ultra blue saturated blue photos are detracting from the hobby after people get past the initial kid in a candy store excitement. Scientific naming , more ethical photography, and showing colony shots for growth patterns would really help the hobby grow to a new level. Sure, if you are the first to bring a new variety or color morph into the trade, put your name on it, but a scientific name should be required to be attached so we know how to properly care for it. It’s why so many people have such hard time when they get to acros or sps in general. They’re starving those that naturally live in more nutrient dense water with ULNS tanks, and blasting deep water corals with high par values because they heard “sps” like high light and low nutrients.

So much this. I personally have stopped buying corals without a mother colony photo. A ¹/² frag is literally just the tip of a branch. And branch tips always look different than a grown out colony. I also agree on also having the scientific name available. You can call it whatever crazy name you want, but give us colony shots and type.

 

[wenliu51]

Funny names in my tank:

Rasta Lobo
Ultra Rainbow Fire Welso
Green Goblin Indo Torch
Dragon Soul Torch
Bleeding Apple Scoly
Superman Acans
Pimple Mushrooms

Let's be real. If you allow men to rename beautiful ocean animals.. this is what happpens..