Oregon Tort(s?) Lineage Questions

[Der ABT]

very interesting posts here, just thought i would share pics of my oregon tort,
here is the mother colony from sometime last year (not mine but pretty sure it can be linked back really far)

and here is my frag, from the side its all blue/purple from the top you get a little different hue to it

probably one of my favorites, and appreciate everyones input on where it and the variations came from, just kinda fun to know.

 

[SDguy]

Interesting. I've never seen a green one, and I'm pretty sure one of the hallmarks of the OT is the solid color throughout, including tips. Yours seems to have lighter tips?

 

[flyyyguy]

I have a few different colonies of this one going. My original piece was originally purchased directly from upscales, not by me.

I have never seen any green in it no matter what lighting. I have browned it out some in the valleys a few different times, but unlike the cali tort, it goes straight brown when not blue....not green

The deepest blue Ive ever seen it is under straight 10k reeflux

 

[SPSpirate]

Thanks hogan400 for the clarity on the IMO the most beautiful SPS!

 

[JPMagyar]

Will the real O.T. please stand up!

Will the real O.T. please stand up!

I think perhaps there may be several variations of very similar corals out there all of which are quite spectacular. I personally subscribe to the Upscales story as I am an owner of one of the frags that came from them via Rick Soutas of ReefStuff.com which I purchased in 2003.





Rick Souta's colony from pre-2000

and my frag in 2003:

my coral in 2007:

and then of course here it is today with the ORA Tort growing behind and to the left:

Be sure to come visit my website at: thecoralgardner.com

 

[ShaunMonahan]

Travis at Upscales is correct

Travis at Upscales is correct

Hello all-

My name is Shaun Monahan and I imported the ORIGINAL Oregon Tort back in late 1998. It was originally a beige color. This is about the time the first 20k 400w Radiums became available, and this (then beige) coral was mounted about 6" from the water line, directly under the 400w 20k Radium in my store's (Waves Marine Aquaria) 150g display. Within a few days this coral started to develop the solid deep blue coloration it's well known for today.

This coral was imported from Bali - NOT the SOLOMONS or any other local- I cannot speak for the "other" torts, and where they've originated from, just this one.

This tort was starting to show some signs of RTN along the base, so Travis and I ended up trading some SPS. Once I fragged my tort, it ended up completely bleaching out then next day. So, Travis thankfully ended up saving this coral, growing it out, and fragging it to sell.

The rest of what Travis stated is correct, and to further clarify we have never been enemies- just very competitive. Also my website was ecorals... And Patrick Monaghan and I are not related.... And Steve Tyree and I used to do a lot of frag trading back in the late 90's....

And I hope this clarifies.

 

[Pallobi]

This is incredible info and an amazing read... I feel privileged to be able to share the same board with people who have done this leg work with one of the most amazing peices out here... I have learned so much reading through this... great job guys, and thank u for the education I received tonite concerning something I love so much... keeping beautiful sps...

 

[JPMagyar]

Actually Travis did not start it all......the original colony came in on a wild Bali shipment (if I remember right) around 1999 to Waves Marine. Waves propagted it and sold a piece to Rick over at Soutas Saltwater....who then got a piece over to Travis. Waves' original colony RTN'd early on....but, they got a piece back from Travis. So.....all the pieces here locally can thank Shaun Monahan from Waves for discovering a great coral....and thank Travis and Rick for distributing it. Funny thing though....Shaun stated that when it first came in...it was baby blue.....maybe just severe bleaching.

I have seen on a few OBT colonies....a few hints of green here and there....but, nothing like the amount of green on the cali tort. Each tank is different...so we are forced to use generalities....your mileage may vary. Travis probably sells around 10 frags a month....Rick has row after row after row of OBT colonies under cultivation and sells much more per month than Travis (If you believe his statistics)....it really doesn't matter though....they all came from the same piece years ago.

Shaun,

In your post you don't mention Rick at all is it true what Travis says? Did Rick get a piece from you about the same time as Travis? Do you think my pictures above are the "Real Deal"? Any idea who has the largest OT colony in captivity? Could it possibly be me :dance:

Anyways, thanks so much for chiming in!


Joe

 

[JPMagyar]

P.S. Took this in Australia . . . not sure if it's related but at least it's an acro :crazy1:

 

[JPMagyar]

And then my favorite photo of my Tort and Tank

 

[chrischin29g]

I actually like yours more lol the green and teal/light blue.. Has it stayed that way or is it all blue now?

 

[sleeri]

Nice coral

 

[trueblackpercula]

Ok been looking for a couple years for a frag of this rare tort.....someone send me a PM so I can get a Frag pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease.Many thanks

 

[rigleautomotive]

Here is mine.Grown from a tiny frag over a few years

 

[trueblackpercula]

Beautiful tort

 

[greg1786]

This has to be the coolest story of where a coral originated thative ever read. I have been trying to get one in my tank for 5 months but cannot seem to find one for sale. Anyone have any info on where i can get a frag of this beauty? Thanks for the great read!! -Greg

 

[greg1786]

Bump.... Anyone know a good legit online store that i could buy the real deal? If so anyone know how they ship? Do they handle it well?

 

[trueblackpercula]

I just joined the true Oregon tort club waited forever to get a real frag. I know its small but in time it will be a great looking piece.

 

[trueblackpercula]

I also have the Ora tort as well, defiantly different.

 

[greg1786]

Trueblackpercula where did you get that frag?? I have been trying to get my hands on one for a loooooong time with zero luck