Torch prices

[01xp]

Why are torches so freaking expensive? I mean I don't understand a hammer dime a dozen same with octospawn. I see some torch frags at my lfs and here and wow big bug money

 

[Arlen nemeth]

Why are torches so freaking expensive? I mean I don't understand a hammer dime a dozen same with octospawn. I see some torch frags at my lfs and here and wow big bug money

They take a while to grow and some are really collectible/ rare

 

[RC Corals]

There's cheap torches, cheap hammers, expensive torches, and expensive hammers also.
High end torches just continue to be the current trophy people are chasing.

 

[Espino963]

I’ve seen some insane colors in torch’s and I would love to have them in my tank. Unfortunately I can’t afford them. I would pay top dollar if I had it.
Someone people like acros and some people like torch’s. Both big money

 

[monti mike]

They’re just what’s hot at the moment. The same thing happened with acans a few years ago.

 

[01xp]

It sucks I would love to have one. I like the movement but just can't afford them when all you think prices gonna come down?

 

[Lizbeli]

I found that my local club has good prices on torches. But they get snatched up fast, you have to stay on top of it. They definitely can take a while to fully split so thats definitely a factor.

 

[Melanie Fish]

They are just collectable. Plenty of cheap torches out there. I've got a 20 dollar hammer next to an 80 dollar gold hammer. The gold is just more desirable. I do agree some of the high end torches are crazy expensive tho.

 

[cshouston]

Not to hijack the thread, but it’s pretty on-topic and no sense making a new one... I have the opportunity to purchase a three head dragon soul torch for $349, and I was wondering if that price was in the ballpark of reasonable.

 

[reefinatl]

They are pretty big $$. I was shocked when I started planning to jump back into the hobby. As others said I think it is just the "in" thing right now. I remember Acans were generally way more expensive than they are now back in 2010. These super expensive mushrooms are what is really humorous to me.

 

[burningmime]

IMO, they're probably a better investment than high-end acros or bounces. I'd wait till next summer to see if prices drop after winter+corona. But torches are the first expensive coral any new reefer wants in their tank. Also, it's something a hobbyist reefer can compete with major coral farms on because of the slow growth rate and prevalence of BJD and other infections. My investor senses are saying "buy" if you feel confident in your ability to care for and frag them.

 

[KrisReef]

Why are torches so freaking expensive? I mean I don't understand a hammer dime a dozen same with octospawn. I see some torch frags at my lfs and here and wow big bug money

A few years back these things came in from Indochina for a few dollars a bag compared to how much they cost now after they were made illegal to export. The market is now open, but the prices to land a head of torch I believe is more than $50 each before shipping? I am looking at a nice 6 headed torch for ~$1000.00. The coral is rainbow under blues and looks like snail puke under whites. The reason I am thinking of buying is a rumor that Indo may close down again to exports? If these become illegal again they will double or triple overnight, again.

So the reason they cost so much now is that people will pay high dollars for them simply because they are nice to look at. I want to buy one just to make sure that I have one to look at, and also so that I can have them to pass along if they stop legally importing them again. It would be a shame if they become illegal again, but they just might.

 

[01xp]

Hopefully they do come down when all this viris crap is overwith

 

[MarshallB]

It's just all supply and demand. Coral trade is extremely volatile. Someone selling coral could lose a lot of money if they are not constantly watching the market, checking prices, seeing the trends. As with most industries the lock downs have definitely had a pretty big impact on fish/coral trading.

 

[tautog83]

theyve actually come down a little since last year. lots more coming in now with indo open but the demand is still there so price hasnt gone down much

 

[rogersb]

Last I knew if they were coming from Indo they had to be maricultured, no wild ones any more. I bought one 8 or 10 months ago and it came on a mariculture plug/base. If they are growing them to sell, then that cuts down on the amount they can export. Nice ones are less common as wild specimens preban, so there are less really nice strains being grown here in tanks.

I haven't been in an LFS in months, but last time I was Indo torches could be had for $55-100 per head for golds. Have they gone up?

 

[ReefSapper]

Hopefully they do come down when all this viris crap is overwith

You can still get some affordable torch frags as long as you are not after a dragon soul or something similar. I happen to love the 'standard' torch and bought a 2 head frag this weekend for $20 at a local frag swap. Keep your eyes open their are deals out there, a few people were selling the dragon soul for around $100 a head at the swap as well.

 

[01xp]

Sweet I don't really care for the designer stuff I just really like the movement that torches bring to the tank

 

[dtrick]

Not to hijack the thread, but it’s pretty on-topic and no sense making a new one... I have the opportunity to purchase a three head dragon soul torch for $349, and I was wondering if that price was in the ballpark of reasonable.

I picked up a single head dragon soul, indo green and dark tipped torch for $350 shipped. $350 for 3 heads seems like the going price for dragon soul. I have seen some much more expensive, but not many cheaper than that price.