Biota Weeping Willow

[Relled]

Hi Everyone!

Making this thread to document the growth of the Biota Weeping Willow strain.

Thought there might be some interest as this has been a fairly hot coral lately. Of course, there is the legendary reef builders article and some YouTuber hobbyists who are pretty into softie collecting.

Interestingly the description of biota matched the reef builders article pretty much spot on mentioning hanging polyps when the flow is cut. That being said it seems like they just removed that from the description on the store page
Was on the email wait list for a frag of this so I bought it super quick, $140 including shipping (Yikes)

This has to be one of the smallest leather coral frags I've ever seen. Definitely not fully extended yet but it's TINY. Size of a few Zoa polyps. Somewhat bummed out about that tbh.
This is going to be the third toadstool I have. One is a medium-sized green tip with fairly long polyps which is growing quite fast. Another is a very large green body toadstool with short polyps (Likley wild-collected).

Pic of the frag is below..... will move it to a frag rack where fewer snails and stuff will tick it off haha, update again when it is hopefully more open.

 

[Relled]

Definitely better polyp extention today. Seems to be acclimation well. Once again though this is a TINY frag. Will probably update in a few weeks - month on growth.

 

[afrokobe]

following along

 

[archercorals]

Is that the normal size for them?

 

[fluffynemo]

I bought one as well and it was the same size. Fear not, these leathers grow fairly fast and the key is to place it in stable alternating/random flow with decent light.

I have the “weeping willows” from TCN, Aqua Corals, Whitlyn Aquatics and several green long polyps.

Will post some pics so we can do comparisons. I removed the original stony base as you never know what hitchhikers are there.

 

[Relled]

I bought one as well and it was the same size. Fear not, these leathers grow fairly fast and the key is to place it in stable alternating/random flow with decent light.

I have the “weeping willows” from TCN, Aqua Corals, Whitlyn Aquatics and several green long polyps.

Will post some pics so we can do comparisons. I removed the original stony base as you never know what hitchhikers are there.

Looking forward to seeing how yours grows!

 

[Relled]

Looking much better today!

Easier to take the pic with the lights off aswell hahaha.

 

[fluffynemo]

Here’s mine! The only big difference that I can see is that the tips are smaller and slightly more cream colored than my other weeping willows .

Here’s a quick video too. I have a few frags of an OG Weeping Willow if anyone is interested (ones behind the Biota WW).

 

[Biota_Marine]

Thank y'all for all the support! We love these toadstools, they are a bit different than the Reefbuilders' Weeping Willows. Probably my second favorite Toadstool behind those Japanese Deepwater ones.

 

[kurisoo]

Here’s mine! The only big difference that I can see is that the tips are smaller and slightly more cream colored than my other weeping willows .

Here’s a quick video too. I have a few frags of an OG Weeping Willow if anyone is interested (ones behind the Biota WW).

Have more photos of that OG weeping willow? Are you selling them?

 

[Relled]

 

[Relled]

Quick Growth update on this strain/frag from Biota. Probably about 3x in size. Seems to be growing slightly faster than some of my other toadstools (they are getting abused by maroon clowns though lol ). When I was running the tank lower nutrient I think this piece struggled at the start. Definitely seems to enjoy "dirty" water. Hopefully, I can maintain growth at the current rate...

 

[rapurcell85]

Quick Growth update on this strain/frag from Biota. Probably about 3x in size. Seems to be growing slightly faster than some of my other toadstools (they are getting abused by maroon clowns though lol ). When I was running the tank lower nutrient I think this piece struggled at the start. Definitely seems to enjoy "dirty" water. Hopefully, I can maintain growth at the current rate...

What numbers are you running?

 

[officialreefbros]

Awesome, thanks for doing a comparison! I've been curious about the difference. Looking forward to updates!

 

[shakacuz]

following along!!

 

[BubbleFett42079]

Following along as well. Thanks @Relled for documenting that beautiful Biota Weeping Willow.

Any idea if the polyps/tentacles are thin or thick? Also, do they look more solid in color or transparent?

 

[FeliciaM]

I'd say the tentacles are skinnier than my other long polyp toadstool, and they are the same color as the rest of the coral. The polyps when they come all the way out are pretty white.

 

[nano reef]

How long would you guys say the tentacles are? Do they weep when flow is off? I myself almost bought one from Biota the other day and luckily I live in Fl so shipping much cheaper so I probably should jump at it BUT what is stopping me(for now anyway) is a local reefer is selling these for 30 bucks and I already am going to pick up some other corals from him, so it seems like a no brainer for the price! He says the tentacles are only 2 inches though. Not sure if he meant right now on the small frags. The pics look almost identical to the one you guys are posting! What do ya'all think?

 

[TheSheff]

Here’s mine! The only big difference that I can see is that the tips are smaller and slightly more cream colored than my other weeping willows .

Here’s a quick video too. I have a few frags of an OG Weeping Willow if anyone is interested (ones behind the Biota WW).

I know this is a super late response but do you still have some of the weeping willow frags?

 

[fluffynemo]

I know this is a super late response but do you still have some of the weeping willow frags?

Hey, I recently fragged a couple and they are taking hold now. If you're still interested in a few weeks DM me. I do have some awesome green long tentacles toadstools available and honestly they are the most fun to watch as the tentacle lengths extends 3-5 inches on a new frag.