Gauging Interest - Wicked Rare Corals in Canada (please read this)
 

In the coming weeks and months I have an opportunity to obtain some of the most unique and beautiful corals I have ever seen, truly rare in the aquarium hobby and even more rare in Canada (please note that historically I use the word "rare" with great caution). With summer approaching it may very well be a 6+ months before they are available again, if they even decide to even make them available to Canada (due to international demand).

Some of these species include dendrophelia Fistula (several colour variations); Rhyzothrocus Typus (white, green, orange/red); non-indo micromussa in multi-colour morphs and several others unique species and colours of corals you generally only see pictures of here in Canada. Not familiar with these, do a quick google please.

I have a pretty good feel for the market here in Toronto/Greater Toronto Area but am interested in learning more about the rest of our counties ideas on some of the more exotic species. While they are unusual and expensive (well at least for the majority of hobbyists), generally they are not difficult to keep and not nearly as demanding as acropora.

So - if you saw a truly rare an unusual specimen available would you consider buying it??? Rather......would you buy it? Rare and unusual meaning say corals retailing for $250 to $800 for full colonies of some of the species noted above (whole colonies not frags). $800 being the extreme high end of the price range for the best, full colony micro.

Would you be inclined to buy frags of these truly unique pieces???

Thanks for helping me work through this. Your input is truly appreciated and could very well determine if these babies become available to us Canadian collectors!

Thanks,
Dave
wickedfrags.com

I would consider buying frags, but not full colonies. I'm patient and can wait for things to grow, but I couldn't justify the cost of such expensive colonies, even though they ARE mindblowingly stunning.

I would be interested , in frags for sure, but depending on what type of coral it is I would probably buy a colony, I dont mind spending money as long as it is somthing cool or rare. (That is what I love to collect rare and expensive fish)

Depends on the size of the colonies with me. I don't mind paying a premium for a large colony of a rare coral. Pics of what you may offer would be great. I wouldn't commit to buying a Ferrari without first seeing a picture of what I may be getting.

Thanks for this. I tend to agree and have bought MANY a frag in my day. Expensive colonies turn out to be expensive frags, but as you say they grow which can be satisfying and more cost effective.


Something some if the real rare collector want as well. To know they are only one that go a particular piece, specially a really unique one. And absolutely, accurate pics would be provided with dimensions/poly counts as well if requested.

Rare is a word I "rarely" use in this hobby to describe corals. That being said, some of the species I noted above are truely rare. Micros are more rare than acans.........at least that is what people lead you to believe, but much of that info comes from divers. Some of the other species are also know to be very rare.

corals
 

Between you and Reefraft all the nice stuff is gonna be in Toronto.I really love the look of the rhyzo`s but the price is killer I just hope mine doesn`t die.Clint

Yes it is isn't it :) Kidding aside, I hear from my customers there are a quite a few great stores throughout Canada. Difference about me being in Toronto is that I am dedicated to shipping, frags, fish and and colonies. The majority of my sales are online and shipped throughout Canada.

Also, it is worth noting that I would be able to get these at a reasonable wholesale price, and sell only within Canada.

Clint - feel free to post a pic of your rhyzo in this thread! Dave

rhyzo
 

Ill post a pic tonight when its fully extended.It has taken a long time to find a spot in the tank that it is happy and has just recently started fully extending at night.Clint

not open during the day for you? What colour did you get? What colours were available? Dave

Hmm
 

If I had a really high end established tank I would consider it but with just a basic 72g reef tank I probably wouldn't. I would be more inclined to invest in equipment to upgrade as neccessary....Down the road?? Maybe.:biggrin:

Don't knock a 70G size tank, you can accomplish some spectacular things with a small tank with affordable equipment. Some of the most memorable tanks I have ever seen are in the 70-120G range.

You listed colony prices, but not frag prices.

I probably would not be interested as I have a hard time buying corals without seeing them myself. Every time I have ordered corals online I have been disappointed because people describe the corals as being better than I think they are (when no photos have been provided), or the photos are taken under 20K lighting which I think is cheating, and then I really never know what to expect. But I know it will suck in comparison to the picture. LOL!

You are also waaaaaaaaaaay over in Ontario, so shipping is expensive on top of the already high prices of the corals that may or may not make it through shipping and acclimation (they usually do though). Even though some people in Vancouver do the odd group order, no one in my area does! So I have to talk someone in Vancouver to add me to the group order and then ship my corals on to me. This also means the shipping is twice as long for my corals, and more expensive for me.

So...in order for me to jump on the wagon, it would have to be one stellar coral at one stellar price to entice me badly enough to order it from you. :)

Indeed these corals would not be for everyone. Just trying to get an idea if other parts of Canada would consider the really the unusual stuff here. Think I have a sense now. Thanks!

I agree with most. I'd be interested in high end SPS Frags, but have little interest in the huge investment that is involved with a colony. Not that I don't think they are worth it. but if I could spend $400 and get 5 or 6 frags rather than 1 or 2 colonies it just make more sense.
But I know some of these high end wild colonies can not be fragged do to fear of loosing the whole thing.

Rhyso
 

Hey Dave finally got a pic of my Rhyzo.This is under a 400W MH no actinic.Clint

Perty! Looks kinda like a Duncan...? I couldn't find any photos of Rhyzos with a Google search...

It is a lot bigger than a duncan and very transluecent.it has a green glowing tip and blueish body and is about 6x3in.I should have attended the picture taking workshop to show it off properly.it is also a pig everything that touches the tenticles sticks to it.the shrimp doesnt try to steal from thig guy.Clint

That's a beauty Clint. Is it open all the time for you? The ones I have seen are open all the time. Do you feed it?

They also come in orange/red and green, in addition to the white.

Correct - not that much info on them out there yet. They have been around in very limited quantities for about a year or so. They have the appearance of a duncan I supose, but are much different in shape and larger.

Hmmm very interesting...sounds like a coral for me! What is their general pricing?

it is finally open day and night.I feed it a lot of mysis and not a piece is wasted.I really like having it and dont mind spending the money to get nicer stuff.There are a few pictures that were put up on aquarium pros.The pics there are way better then mine.and there is some info http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/sh...d.php?p=263764
Clint

The link doesn't work...?

I dunno works when I click on it.It takes a long time to load for me though.Clint