Watermelon Chalice Question?

[kurplunk]

I recently aquired two different Watermelon Chalices. One being the original Tyree LE and ReefTecs Watermelon Two. After reading the article by Steve Tyree in Reef Hobbiest Mag, it got me wondering what is the definition of the watermelon chalice? It seems every farmer has there own variation, some don't even seem to have any pink. Is it a pink chalice with green or yellow eyes and a green leading edge? Or is it just a pink chalice with green eyes. What criteria sets the "Watermelon Chalices" from the rest?

 

[neyugn0w01]

If it has a green rim with a pink or red base with yellow or golden eyes/mouth, it is consider a "watermelon chalice". Hope that helps. What you paid for is good marketing. I have picked up two decent sizes colony in the bay area myself and they have all color up nicely. One actually looks exactly like the red watermelon Tyree version.

 

[kurplunk]

So wouldn't the Tyree golden eye fall into that category? Why would it not be "billed" as a watermelon?

 

[ghostman]

Your question is similar to asking if poodles are classified as dogs. Yes they are, but they are more specifically poodles. "Watermelon" describes an echino that is pink, purple, or red, with contrasting eyes and a green growth rim. There are many variations within this subheading such as tyree, ROAB, Altlantis, Red, etc. Each variation has characterisitcs that are unique and they are therefore priced accordingly. I have purchased watermelon chalices for $25 up to $200 for the Tyree peice. They all do look slightly different in my tank.

 

[chrisstie]

I'd like to find that $25 version ;p I hate that you can get frags for an okay price but the size is so small.. don't think they'd make it most of the time

 

[slojmn]

Good question . ghostman and Lam summed it up nicely. The Aquascene golden eye would definately be in the "class" of watermelon type chalices. It was named that back in 2005 by James to delineate it from the pink watermelon. At that time there were not all that many red/pink/burgandy/chalices with the golden/yellow/or green eyes with the green rim. Now a couple of years later there are way more "watermelon" type chalices that have that familiar color pattern to the body/eyes/rim. They are being tagged "watermelon" because that is the original name for the original chalice that garners so much attention, even now. Even with all of the different varieties now found it still holds some allure to get that original piece. Personally I have yet to find one as pink as the original but I think the Jaydas and Bazooka Joe are certainly right up there for that great pink body of the original. I have six different versions of watermelon type chalices...the original pink and red, the aquascene golden eye, my own golden eye, the jaydas, and one from a fellow hobbyists that is more grape colored with the green rim and golden eyes. All fabulous and all unique in their own ways. It seems to be a naming thing and "watermelon" captures attention and $$$$. Just my rambling thoughts on the subject .

 

[ghostman]

Alicia hit the naming thing right on the head. Every echino frag that has a pinkish/green coloration has the watermelon tag attached to it along with $$$$. IMO and IME it really takes a lot of homework if you are interested in obtaining the true Tyree watermelon. There are sellers that may purposely or inadvertantly stick the Tyree tag on an average watermelon frag to double/triple the price. Most frags are so small that it is impossible to see the difference. The Tyree version is extremely pink, my golden eye is a little more purple, and my no-name is the pinkest of the group (also the least expensive). I can't think of another coral that has so many variants and wannabes, maybe the Garf Bonsai.

 

[slojmn]

Pinkest of the group and cheapest huh? Nice find .

 

[neyugn0w01]

Other factors that Alicia and ghostman might left out is lighting, placement and stability of the tank. I have seen a True Pink Tyree in a friends tank under Reeflux 12K and it does not look like mine when I had it under T5's. My experience with these chalice is that they tend to do best under middle to low light with average flow.

 

[RandyO]

The original was named "watermelon" because it looked like this.

Pink and Green.

 

[neyugn0w01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10225724#post10225724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyO
The original was named "watermelon" because it looked like this.

Pink and Green.

Growing up I always ate watermelon that had red flesh, not pink.

 

[RandyO]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10225818#post10225818 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by neyugn0w01
Growing up I always ate watermelon that had red flesh, not pink.

For those that had red watermelon.

 

[sak5]

Can anyone who has the different variations please post pics of them?
Thanks.