coral prices ??
- Thread starter genzod66
- Start date
It is more of a what but if you look you can find what you want. I got over 100 polyps of zoas, 2 color morphs, for $20 this week.
SaltwaterSensei
Premium Member
it seems its also all about the frags these days. At least the LFS's I've been to they sell mostly frags and they have little to offer in terms of colonies.
geaux xman
New member
Its the cost of doing business is way up.
Just think how much livestock they have to sell to pay off overhead(1K+ in rent, electric, water, salaries, ins, etc.).
Just think how much livestock they have to sell to pay off overhead(1K+ in rent, electric, water, salaries, ins, etc.).
Khemul
New member
Maybe it is different in areas without a ton of stores, but around here it seems stores have their specialties. One store will have cheap softies but expensive LPS. Another will have cheap LPS but be charging outrageous prices for zoas. There are a few that'll stick a rock covered in Grape Caulerpa in the frag tank and try to charge $40. :eek2:
The popularity of frags probably has a bit of influence on it too. It just isn't worth it for the stores to sell large colonies for cheaper, when they can break it up into 4-5 pieces and sell them for $10-20 each. Which instantly scales any large colony up into the $100+ range to make it worth selling over going smash happy.
The popularity of frags probably has a bit of influence on it too. It just isn't worth it for the stores to sell large colonies for cheaper, when they can break it up into 4-5 pieces and sell them for $10-20 each. Which instantly scales any large colony up into the $100+ range to make it worth selling over going smash happy.
theresearcher
New member
I can get frags for $20
borderreef
New member
I know I'll catch **** for this, but what about the prices our fellow reefers are charging? I mean, most of us are in it for the love of the hobby, but some reefers are charging more for their stuff than online retailers or even the lfs. I don't know. When I had my 20g nano going, I had to frag all the time. Most I'd just give away to friends or friends of friends. Sometimes I'd get $5 or $10 because people felt bad that I wasn't charging them for something. And these were not one or two polyps, or 3/4" pieces. These were large frags that you would now pay $70-$100 or more for. I just think there is a line between loving the hobby supplementing it, and trying to make a living off it.
Bilk
New member
What I want to know is why does Europe get better corals and a better selection? We have multiple bodies of water where corals are propagated and harvested and the corals I see offered here are nothing like what's offered in Euro shops. Well that's just my observation. If someone can point me to a good source, I'd appreciate it. Frags are fine and I'll purchase a few, but I don't want a tank full of plugged frags. I want some full colony heads. If they're tank propagated from multiple generations, all the better. I just haven't found a good source.
Herbie
Yep,that one
Just go to any local frag swap, and see how its changed. It used to be all the local guys giving away ,swapping and selling their frags for cheap, just to "spread it around" .They were proud they were able to grow corals.
Now it seems at least 50% of the tables are semi-profesional "frag business" selling frags for outrageous amounts of cash. They specialize in only the corals and frags they know will bring in the high dollars. I will admit they have some very nice display systems, and I am sure they have some money tied up into their side fragging business, but come on........$100+ for 1" frags ??? Nowadays its all about "designer" corals.
I noticed lately, SPS seems to be leveling off. LPS, especially chalices are getting expensive. Designer Zoas are all the rage now.
So yea, coral prices are getting high, lol.
Herbie
Now it seems at least 50% of the tables are semi-profesional "frag business" selling frags for outrageous amounts of cash. They specialize in only the corals and frags they know will bring in the high dollars. I will admit they have some very nice display systems, and I am sure they have some money tied up into their side fragging business, but come on........$100+ for 1" frags ??? Nowadays its all about "designer" corals.
I noticed lately, SPS seems to be leveling off. LPS, especially chalices are getting expensive. Designer Zoas are all the rage now.
So yea, coral prices are getting high, lol.
Herbie
borderreef
New member
My thoughts exactly, Herbie. Glad I'm not the only one to notice that.
NiTr0x911
New member
I think part of the reason coral prices are so high is due to the "name game" It seems everything has a name now,and many are supposedly "limited edition.deep water,etc.But as long as ppl pay the price it will continue.Also most online retailers are doing WYSIWYG,a good camera and photo shop turns an average looking coral into an incredible unique coral.With that being said another reason for higher prices is just the cost of business(freight,packaging etc.)Ive noticed fish prices have gone up lately as well.I just bought a Harlequin Tusk On Divers Den for 179.00,I bought the same fish 4 years ago for 109.00.
Almondsaz
Premium Member
I must say that it makes you wonder who is buying these corals that are so expensive. I was looking at ebay and there is an acan frag at $199/head and several other "frags" that are very expensive. I must agree with you all that providing a seemingly unique name and then calling it "rare" the prices go up. I have seen solid color acans being called "rainbow" and ultra rainbow when they don't contain (per the photo) more than one or two color ways. It is crazy to see. But then I am one of those that when you find exactly the one your looking for I don't care what someone named it - I get caught up in the I have to have it game. Reefing is a very satisfying addiction - what we accomplish in our reef keeping, the people we are privileged to interact with and the opportunity to "pay it forward" make this a great hobby/addiction.
