Honestly, a mystery box isn’t all too bad as long as the seller says specifically what MAY be in the box (I.E. SPS, LPS, Softies, NPS, Specific Fish Family, Specific Size of Fish). I agree if you get a mystery box and have no idea what will be in it.
Nobody is going to be able to tell you exactly what species of Acropora, Seriatopora, Stylophora ect… that you are going to get. It’s almost impossible to ID a specific coral from SPS and get it right every time.
I completely respect your opinion, But IMO there is a niche were there is very little risk to the buyer or the livestock at least as far as corals go. Some people run multiple mixed reef systems or large frag tanks and will have plenty of space to stock any "risky" corals that may be sent, like acans or chalices etc. And should have little trouble handling their care as far as flow, lighting, food, and chemistry,etc. Furthermore if they have the group its in SPS,LPS,Softy. Virtually any reefer could purchase one and know very well what to expect, I recently got a "Mystery Zoa" from TSA and low and behold I unboxed a Gatorade zoa. Something that I probably would have overlooked in the live sale but really love in person. Obviously it would've been annoying if it were a colorless palythoa, But if you order from a reliable vendor your likely to get something interesting at the very least. Plus with anything If you don't like not knowing you don't have to get it, I don't find the practice inherently wrong.
I'm not certain I agree here. Any shelter animal is pretty much a mystery dog or cat and my pups have all been model citizens thus far.
That’s just the normal UK LFS if I’m honest, I only know of one LFS that doesn’t bring some form of nasty invert in the tank.
Eww, where do you order from?
I don’t think you can/should compare a coral with a dog or cat with a coral which is much less complex. Corals are simpler forms of life when compared to other animals.
