SPS market, trends, prices?

[dots]

Im curious about market price of "rare" SPS in the past compared to what they are now. I would assume once a "rare" piece is somewhat available, and since most are faster growing, obviously excluding the slow growers, that the availibility of these corals would go up, and hence the price and novelty would go down.

For instance, I can remember people talking about Oregon Torts, Superman Montis, and Purple monsters as if they were mystical unicorns just a few months ago, now they seem more and more available.....

My question is: 1. What are some examples have you seen in the past of "rare/expensive" corals which are widely available now. And in your opinion, how long do you think it takes the new "flavor of the month" to be cultivated and harvested by people to make it a "dime a dozen" frag.

The reason I ask: 1. I see some of the wait lists on Reef Farmers, stretch into the years and would assume that they would be found easier than waiting the years and would become plentiful in a number of months.

2. I would really like one of the ATL purple bonsai offered at Atlantis in Fremont, Ca. I would like bigger than a 1/2" piece for $80....so I want to wait for the price to drop.

3. Curious of past trends

 

[jay24k]

I think trends are just trends. I honestly don't understand why someone would wait 5 years to get a tyree piece. Maybe they figure enough people will back out and get a piece quicker? I think if you want to cash in on the rare, you need to get it very quick, grow it and cash in on it. Also, I think today's rare coral might not of been 5 years ago rare coral.

I'd like the bonsai too but a bit too much for me. I've seen oregon torts selling for 30 dollars but shipping is too much so I'm sure the others will drop. Purple monsters...well they are just so dang slow to grow, I don't ever see the price dropping too much.

Mainly I buy what I like not because it has a name. If everyone did the same, hobby would be cheaper.

 

[Cody Ray]

I personally think that every coral should be a "dime a dozen" frag, that way everyone could enjoy them.

 

[dots]

I would think, that once one specimen is aquacultured, that it is only a matter of time before it is abundant through frag swaps and private trades. I would assume that time and price would exponetially decay with time, I was just curious about how long and any examples anyone has noticed in the past.

I agree jay24k, I buy what I like also, not about trend. I have to admit this is one of the few things in my life where its all about what I want and nobody else has input on MY tank but me. Just so happens I like the "rare/expensive" one and it got me thinking about this.

 

[jsweir]

Something you have to figure in is that I believe that modern equipment and available information about this hobby has created somewhat of a boom in interest. It is realatively "easy" to set up a tank these days and populate it with lots of online purchases. These new hobbyists may or may not make it long term, but the bug is definately out there. I got into this hobby because it was supposed to be one of the greatest challenges out there and it really means alot to me to have a slice of a reef in my house.

- That said - Demand is growing and we will all have to compete.

 

[Johnsteph10]

Trends are ridiculous.

Slap a name on a pretty coral = rare and expensive. Unfortunately, many of these seem to grow really slowly though most are fairly hardy.

Orange caps are a great example. Just a few years ago people were paying exhorbitant prices for a tiny piece, just like the "must-haves" today.

 

[VCoo71]

market value......what the market will.... give its a day to day thing!

charlie

 

[BlueStag]

The Green Slimer, Acropora Yongeii used to be one too. It's readily available at cheap prices now too. Still a stunning coral at any price.

 

[phlipper84]

There is always a hot item of the moment that is garnering extreme pricing. 8 months ago it was Acan Lords. People were going nuts. Vendors were selling colonies in the 500+ range. Now the prices have dropped down into the "reasonable" zone. After the Acan demand/price increase, Ricordia became the hot item. These seem to be readily growable, but go price a pink ricordia, 80+ dollars per polyp. Same with Blue zoos and even more so with Purple People Eater zoos. You barely see mention of PPE's now but 6 months ago people were paying a fortune for 5 polyps.
SPS is the current flavor of the month. Those waiting lists only serve to increase the prices. They are slower growers, but if people see a line they are going to join in, regardless of what it is for.

 

[jay24k]

PPE's are still selling mad. Saw a 2 polyp sell on ebay for over 120 dollars last week. I just don't think many sell them.

 

[phlipper84]

I guess my tanks value just shot up!

 

[zapata41]

also remember that when someone does get a frag, say from Tyree, they know it is the real deal and dont have to worry abotu a fake piece. now if everyone fragged the pieces they bought then the price might drop but not very many ppl will wait years to ge something rare and then turn around and frag it, most will hold on to it to allow it to grow very large and be a show piece. also by holding on to the rare frags and growing them out, it keeps the frag rare and more of a jaw dropper when you see a large colony of it.

i dont agree with some of the super high priced things but i did buy a rainbow monti for 100$ for a small frag. not a trend follower, just an eyecandy grabber.

Tim

 

[JER-Z]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7094649#post7094649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zapata41
also remember that when someone does get a frag, say from Tyree, they know it is the real deal and dont have to worry abotu a fake piece.

who cares if it is the "real deal" or a "fake piece"? As long as it is alive and pretty, that's "real" enough for me.

No offense to anyone, but this attitude is what makes the prices skyrocket. Some guy gives a good looking coral his stamp of approval, and it suddenly becomes "his" and the price gets absolutely ridiculous.

I don't really care who has his name on my coral, but i like corals because of the way they look.

 

[zapata41]

agreed, just calling it as i see it. too bad most nice pieces that arent LE dont really get traded much.

Tim

 

[JER-Z]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7095612#post7095612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zapata41
agreed, just calling it as i see it. too bad most nice pieces that arent LE dont really get traded much.

Tim

lol ironic isn't it?

 

[jay24k]

It does over here. When I go to fellow reefers, I point out the prettiesss! I had one guy point one out and I said nah, it doesn't appeal to me. It ended up being the tyree loisietta. I ended up getting it because the price was very nice.

 

[zapata41]

most ppl overlook beauty for names

 

[poknsnok]

Im going to list mine on ebay as a "poknsnok limited edition" and see what happens

 

[dots]

Personally, I like color and shape diversity. Like that Bonsai for example.....purple with green polyps....man that pops with color. I suppose that is part of the driving factor......after all how many "rare" brown acros do you see?

 

[phlipper84]

Be careful how you term "brown". I was in LA a few weeks ago, I walked into a store that had Palythoa Grandis at about 75 per polyp. Huge brown and white zoos!