Are limited edition corals...

[SHOmuchFUN]

Really limited editions, or are they just expensive?

Honestly, looking through the coral for sale section, through local club websites, and through online retailers they don't seem all that limited to me?

Rainbow, sunset, shamrock, superman, etc. monti's seem to be everywhere. They're not limited, nor are they hard to find. They're just expensive! Sure they're beautiful corals, but they grow as fast as any other coral on the market.

I had a piece of Tyree Idaho grape that I bought from a fellow reefer for a decent chunk of money. It was never really a purple color, but it grew like a weed! I could never understand how a coral that grew as fast as that one did, could ever be a "limited" or "rare" coral as some are tagged to be.

I've been a reefer for over 6 years now and never have I seen such an influx of named and "limited edition" corals. 1/2" sized frag packs with these corals fetch $300-$500 for just a few frags at a time. Obviously supply/demand will always control a market, but I have found that it seems like the supply is starting to catch up with demand.

 

[styndall]

I figure it's mostly just silliness. The term people used after the tech stock bubble burst, "irrational exuberance," comes to mind. A purple montipora is a purple montipora.

 

[seapug]

Many of the "Limited Edition" corals are exceptionally nice, but that doesn't mean you can't find the same thing elsewhere for less.

It's also important to understand that a corals can look drastically different in one tank than another due to different lighting and water parameters. Generally speaking, proper lighting and low Phosphate and Nitrate levels do a lot to improve color. Weak lights and dirty water can make a lot of spectacular corals look drab and brown.

 

[macreefster]

there was a great thread here not long ago discussion these "limited edition" corals and their associated names. it was quite entertaining if you ask me. IMO much of these corals sold online with their fancy names and LE designations are just marketing ploys. i fell for that game and i can't say my miniscule $80 frags are any nicer than the large wild or maricultured sps's i get from my LPS. i am fortunate to have a couple of LPS's in the area that carry nice stuff and i doubt i'll be purchasing the fancy frags again....but i'll never say never!

 

[SHOmuchFUN]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12322903#post12322903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by styndall
I figure it's mostly just silliness. The term people used after the tech stock bubble burst, "irrational exuberance," comes to mind. A purple montipora is a purple montipora.

I can understand that certain strains can be priced differently, as their colors are not all going to be the same. A tort will have a deeper color than a formosa most of the time... But to call ANY montipora as a limited edition is silly IMO. Montipora grows as fast as my xenia does! :lol:

 

[eshagha]

I don't pay attention to these terms. I just get the ones I think look nice.

 

[boomsticks]

They sound almost like the different strains of marijuana! LOL! "Northern Lights Super Haze Acros!"

 

[Savas]

They may be "limited" for the dealer - as they not have a consistent supply of them, but they are not limited for the hobby.

The more demand for the specific types the more you will see of that type.

 

[roxy]

I think it's funny that people chase after these names. Seems to me that we're just watching another wave of beanie baby collectors.

 

[Savas]

Since there are no standards on naming and I doubt many vendors know the scientific name for sure, it is wide open.

This is why the American Kennel Club was formed for dogs.