aussie echinata care or placement

[stunreefer]

Are perople having better luck with frags versus colonies of this? I am considering picking up a nice colony, but, would rather a frag if the survival rate is better...

Most of the "Aussie Echinata" you see coming in these days are wild collected, so it doesn't matter if they're frags or colonies - a "frag" would be a chopped up colony and will be just as sensitive (or not) as a colony. With that said large Acropora colonies never really ship great, but assuming they're packaged well I wouldn't choose a frag over a colony

Now if the "frag" is from a colony that's been grown in captivity that's a different story.

 

[dvanacker]

Seriously I find frags always do better. More then a few times I have had large wild corals go down hill and I'm able to frag a peice. Usually the frag is the only thing that makes it. Years later the frag has grown out to a colony and doesnt seem to be as sensitive as the original wild colony purchased. Just my experience.

 

[rutz81]

Most of the "Aussie Echinata" you see coming in these days are wild collected, so it doesn't matter if they're frags or colonies - a "frag" would be a chopped up colony and will be just as sensitive (or not) as a colony. With that said large Acropora colonies never really ship great, but assuming they're packaged well I wouldn't choose a frag over a colony

Now if the "frag" is from a colony that's been grown in captivity that's a different story.

Agreed, but, a frag(of the wild coral) that may have started to encrust and is settled I would think would be more likely to not have issues since it started to grow in captivity; and also would not have trouble replicating the flow that it it received in the ocean??

 

[fijiblue]

Originally Posted by stunreefer View Post
Most of the "Aussie Echinata" you see coming in these days are wild collected, so it doesn't matter if they're frags or colonies - a "frag" would be a chopped up colony and will be just as sensitive (or not) as a colony. With that said large Acropora colonies never really ship great, but assuming they're packaged well I wouldn't choose a frag over a colony

Now if the "frag" is from a colony that's been grown in captivity that's a different story.

I disagree. In my experience, a frag can re-establish to match it's new conditions far better than a colony can regardless of whether it is from a wild colony or not.

 

[rigleautomotive]

I disagree. In my experience, a frag can re-establish to match it's new conditions far better than a colony can regardless of whether it is from a wild colony or not.

Yes,I agree.its been documented,(cant find it now) with studies as far as frags in small size(escape size) having a better survival rate then colonies.I believe it has to do with some survival instinct.In the early days GARF and a few others were toying with this idea and mounting frags horizontally or upside down and finding they passed out the mother colonies or out survived them in some cases.

IME wild colonies are much more fragile(depending on locale) compared to frags and will not survive even if our tanks are as close to perfect as can be. But others will survive and become the most hardy corals in our reefs


As far as a aquacultured frag,(in captivity long term) they are the toughest and most likely to survive.

 

[29reef]

Sense we all like photos heres my frag, I am very happy with the coral so far.

 

[tnyr5]

ok so i was holding out just a bit, here's a pic of the side that faces the light

[/IMG]

29 reef yours is looking good, once they have good polyp extension 3/4 of the battle is over

 

[chadfarmer]

they all look good , i am going to cut a brnch off mine and give to a friend

 

[drawman]

Wow, great pieces guys. You are definitely making me jealous right now!

 

[SDguy]

I moved mine to high light and high flow. I'm starting to see PE at night, and definite new growth at various points. Color is still a bit blah-tan, but hopefully that'll change as it settles in more.

 

[chadfarmer]

I moved mine to high light and high flow. I'm starting to see PE at night, and definite new growth at various points. Color is still a bit blah-tan, but hopefully that'll change as it settles in more.

i know that feeling but time will tell


i had a tunze 6305 die so i had to change flow a little in my tank

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

lfs has a blue one with dark blue tips in teh $99 section--about the same size as 29reef's.

It's small but really nice!

 

[rutz81]

I got a nice 1.5" chunky frag from Reef Odyssey, has good PE and is coloring up. Will get a pic when I get a chance.

 

[29reef]

I don't want to say $99 is a rip because a coral is worth what the buyer is willing to pay and agreed that a more blue version is worth more but IMO most all of these imported aussi enchinata are the same color and the lighting and water chemistry makes up the color variations. These aren't the same thing as ora corals even if they all look the same

Mine is still very happy and seems to be growing a little bit, I'll update my photo after a month or so. Depends on when I clean the glass on the dt. I got mine from Ian as well.

 

[chadfarmer]

i payed over 200 for mine and was an import

 

[reefslugs]

they all look good , i am going to cut a brnch off mine and give to a friend

Ahhh thanks man!

 

[SDguy]

Mine is settling in nicely. Still refuses to show PE during the day.

 

[rutz81]

For no reason at all, my healthy looking echinata is STN'ing from the base; polyps are still out and the coral looks great up top. All params seem to be in check and all other acros seem fine. Haven't moved it or anything. Anyone else have this happen?

 

[rigleautomotive]

For no reason at all, my healthy looking echinata is STN'ing from the base; polyps are still out and the coral looks great up top. All params seem to be in check and all other acros seem fine. Haven't moved it or anything. Anyone else have this happen?

IME it happens to a fair amount of wild corals that are fragged and sold before they are fully acclimated to captive life.This can possibly be the issue with some of these aussie acroporas that are flooding the market.Hope it recovers for you.Maybe frag above the RTN and reglue.That has proven to save a few for me in the past.GL

 

[sanababit]

^ what he said

Sana