Chalice corals whats the big deal?

[atrox]

So I always see chalice coral frags demanding high prices, but I've never seen a large colony. Can those with large chalices explain why you like them and what you would compare their husbandry too. They do have crazy colors, so is that the appeal or am I missing something else here?

 

[lhm nole]

I have several large chalice colonies. Most people want to chop them up to make a quick buck or to help offset initial cost of the colony.. Really no 2 chalices exactly alike imo..

 

[lhscouchmonster]

i dont have a large colony but have seen several. The pricey chalices have nice color combos with really rich colors. the colors are much more vibrant than most other corals. they are usually slow growers though. not worth the price but definitly beautiful

 

[ryanerickson]

They are expensive because of how slow they grow great coral.

 

[frankyrivera]

I think most people want large colonies but when they grow and the sweepers come out and start stinging everything in reach its time to start pruning

 

[cloak]

Here's a good article regarding chalice corals.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/chalice-corals

 

[wild1]

So I always see chalice coral frags demanding high prices, but I've never seen a large colony. Can those with large chalices explain why you like them and what you would compare their husbandry too. They do have crazy colors, so is that the appeal or am I missing something else here?

I agree with you 100%, while they are colorful, Chalices just lay on the bottom of your tank, growing slower than watching paint dry! You are also right about their prices, way over valued!

 

[Av8bluewater]

I have two chalice. Both seem to grow about as fast as some slower encrusting montis.
I got a bubble gum monster from a huge colony in a LFS. His was spectacular.

 

[maikoa02]

For me, the colors on chalices are the most appealling. But the challenge and accomplishment of growing something from a booger size frag to a 30+ eye colony is what keeps me interested in this hobby.

 

[SaltyWalter]

Being a slow grower and requiring just as much attention to your tank as most sps makes the prices so high. If they were easy to keep then the prices would be lower. You can say the same thing about zoa and paly prices , because some of those are crazy expensive and most of them are easier to keep than chalice and grow faster, hence the slightly lower but still exaggerated price for such a small piece.

 

[Tweaked]

Honestly, I think it comes down to colors. The longer your in the hobby, the more you appreciate eye popping colors that glow and aren't green lol. I always look for orange myself.

 

[johnike]

For me, the colors on chalices are the most appealling. But the challenge and accomplishment of growing something from a booger size frag to a 30+ eye colony is what keeps me interested in this hobby.

Honestly, I think it comes down to colors. The longer your in the hobby, the more you appreciate eye popping colors that glow and aren't green lol. I always look for orange myself.

Agreed.

 

[geckoejon]

IMO, it's more than just colors in some situations. Some people chase names and willing to pay numerous times as much to get that name. Sometimes it's about color, but not always.

It's also about fads. Look at the price of numerous chalices a couple years ago compared to now. Colors haven't changed... The price sure has....

I chase color and willing to pay a decent price for it. I don't chase fads. So many people get sucked into the hype and burnt in the long run. I suppose it's all a matter of what it is worth to the individual though....

 

[atrox]

Yeah through the years I've noticed the coral fads. It's crazy I havnt seen fox coral for sale forever and i could always find one in any lfs a few years ago. Now they are super exspensive, and rarely offered.