Blastomussa Merletti questions...

[20 20]

There's a beautiful piece of Blasto Merletti at a LFS that I'm considering getting. So, some questions. What's the 'going price' of a 2" by 2" piece that's in great shape? They're asking $90, which seems steep to me. Also, I've got a 29 gallon reef, with 130 watt's PC lighting, is the lighting sufficiant? If I get it, would I just put in in a crack/hole in the rock? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Amphiprion]

That is a bit steep. I think somewhere in the 40-50 dollar range would be more acceptable for a smaller piece.

 

[cmondo]

I agree it is pretty steep. Your lighting is fine for them, start them out near the bottom and move them up if u choose. u could shove it in a crack or hole like you said, or u could buy epoxy and attach the skeleton to the rock.

 

[phoenix]

Definitely steep - that is a pretty easy coral to frag and you may be able to find a fellow reefer in your area to give you a frag.

 

[David Grigor]

What you describe here in MN would go for about $60 for a 2X2 section. If it's an unusual color pattern or something though the price will rise.

 

[20 20]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. This lfs usually has prices a bit higher than others, but the quality of their livestock is excellent. This coral is absolutely gorgeous, I drool every time I walk by it. It's been in the store for about 2 weeks now, and looks very healthy. I've seen other blasto's at a couple of other stores for a bit less, but not nearly the quality of this speciman.


Argh, this hobby costs too much!

 

[phoenix]

Since it has been there a couple of weeks you might ask them to discount it. Never hurts to ask and I have been surprised sometimes with a really sweet deal.

 

[lemonhead]

at our place we sell it $ per head and give discounts with so many heads ( ex. 3 heads $15 and 10 heads $45).

 

[zukihara]

It depends a great deal on the color in my experience. If they are insanely colored then $10 a polyp is about what I have seen. The one on my avatar is an example.
If they are not very colorful or brown then I wouldn't buy them at all.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[20 20]

zukihara, there are probably around 10-12 small heads, totalling about a 2" by 2" piece. Gorgeous (at least to me), deep red with bright green centers.

 

[zukihara]

I see so many ugly ones for sale that I would suggest you suck it up and buy it if it's a spectacular specimen. Those tiny heads will plump up fast. Around here, a truly nice blasto will last exactly 12 seconds in the display tank after a shipment comes in and the owner deems it is ready for sale.
I don't think you will regret buying it at all, only kicking yourself later if ya don't!

 

[20 20]

That's what I'm thinking. I've been slowly talking myself into it all day. Unfortunately I can't get there until tomorrow afternoon, if I show up and it's gone I WILL be kicking myself!!!!

 

[stevedola]

90 bucks for merletties is very expensive...atleast double. I bought a small colony (4x4) from my LFS for 42.99. BTW I thought that was expensive for merletties. On the other hand if it were blasto welsi then 90 bucks for a bunch of heads is the going rate. Are you sure its not a welsi frag? how big are the heads?

 

[20 20]

The heads are about a little bit bigger than a pencil eraser (ish). Your 4x4, I assume that's 4 inches by 4 inches. How many heads on that piece?

 

[stevedola]

alot(50-60). if they are the size of a pencil eraser then they merletti.

 

[Stephany]

I purchased this for $40. That seems expensive to me.

 

[fishfanv]

got this one for $30.

 

[r00onmac]

man i feel like i got bent over.. i paid 10 bucks today for a single in tact polyp smaller than a dime and a few skeletons with some obvious tissue still attached.. one has an in tact mouth but no tissue around it...

it will grow though... but who knows how long to get it to that point...^^

 

[c. dawg]

This one cost about $80.00 for 50 heads:

 

[zukihara]

I know you bought it. Lets see the pic