Frags and cost

Badspstank · Jun 16, 2014

Is it me are frags getting smaller ? 10x more expensive looking, looking at few sites corals last years cheaper this year same corals triple in price. Finding it very hard to support on line sellers at the cost of the corals today.

Frick · Jun 16, 2014

There is not doubt there are some very expensive frags out there. The only reason I can simpley think of is because there are people out there buying them. I can't say I have seen any classic frags that have gone up dramatically in price. It's really tough to track something like that when you can't compare apples to apples, or Acros to Acros.

I think 10 or 20 years ago there are colonies you could get that go for the price of the frag now. The difference is the avaibility and collection, and these frags probably/should have been fully acclimated to modern reef conditions. IMO if you put aside how much you want it and how "pretty" it is then Health + Lineage + Availability = Cost.

mic209 · Jun 16, 2014

Not just you, a majority of "Frags" are just nubs now days. And what people are calling "mini colonies" look more frags. There are still some places out there with nice size frags at decent prices, so just shop around.

Vmacisback · Jun 17, 2014

its bad man, problem is the time that it takes for you to grow that frag and the immense things that can kill that frag are tough. It makes this hobby a little more annoying IMO. The names as well are a bit annoying and people fighting over if this is a "dragon" or not and lineage. Funny thing is most awesome tanks are full of common sps that are mature large colonies. In order to make it into that category of a mature beautiful tank with large colonies of sps it takes time. With most people chasing the tiny named frags they dont ever let their tanks mature and really grow.

jedi6 · Jun 17, 2014

I am currently stocking my tank and have found some amazing deals and nice people by contacting local reefers through our club forums. I guess if you are looking for rare pieces then online may be the only option but may have to pay the price for it too. Just my Â¢2.

Jimbo · Jun 17, 2014

Frags are definitely getting smaller. The norm used to be that you would get a frag of at least 1 inch but usually bigger. More and more I'm seeing frags advertised as being 3/4 to 1 inch or even lately 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

If people keep buying these 1/2 inch frags I'm sure that will be the new norm . Seems like they are pushing the limits with these tiny frags ( as if 1 inch frags weren't small enough lol )

CastAway · Jun 17, 2014

Popular topic these days. The only recourse seems to be making note of the pricing offenders, and not doing business with them, at all, not even for their lower priced specimens. A boycott of specific vendors, and affecting their bottom line, may be the only way to correct the market and unscrupulous pricing. For offenders who sponsor here on this site, discretion is key.

Selling growth tips with insufficient body mass to support them is unsustainable and irresponsible, however profitable. Conscientious aquarists should not promote this by doing business them.

Just my two cents.

Kworker · Jun 17, 2014

Frick · Jun 17, 2014

Maybe I am in the wrong here but I feel we are extremely lucky to be able to have this variety of live coral to purchase. You can still find some classics for decent prices and yes the new stuff will be more expensive and smaller. I would have to say it is simple supply and demand. I remember when Purple death Palys cost an arm and a leg. Now I can't give them away. If it truly is rare and unique then why would the store try to sell it for any less then what they think they can get for it. If people do not buy it then it will more than likely go on sale. It's just business.

Badspstank · Jun 17, 2014

looking at some of the sites today frags 200 for 1/2 inch that crazy.

Pete polyp · Jun 17, 2014

I can remember when Oregon tort could be bought for $50, and that was way back when frags were 2". I saw a booger frag yesterday for $130 on a vendor site.

golfnut1232 · Jun 17, 2014

Some of the ebay auctions annoy me as well. I'm into polyps a bit and I see "auction is for 1-2 polyps". Well, which is it?! Drives me crazy. And, in my opinion, frags should be at least 1" on sticks. Problem is is that people buy smaller all day long, so things won't change.

mic209 · Jun 18, 2014

Vmacisback said:
its bad man, problem is the time that it takes for you to grow that frag and the immense things that can kill that frag are tough. It makes this hobby a little more annoying IMO. The names as well are a bit annoying and people fighting over if this is a "dragon" or not and lineage. Funny thing is most awesome tanks are full of common sps that are mature large colonies. In order to make it into that category of a mature beautiful tank with large colonies of sps it takes time. With most people chasing the tiny named frags they dont ever let their tanks mature and really grow.

People fighting over names and lineage is the most annoying. On another site somebody was asking for help with a purple bonsai, all the reply's were people telling the OP that it's not a GARF and blah blah blah. Not once did the OP even mention GARF.

that Reef Guy · Jun 18, 2014

Frick said:
Maybe I am in the wrong here but I feel we are extremely lucky to be able to have this variety of live coral to purchase. You can still find some classics for decent prices and yes the new stuff will be more expensive and smaller. I would have to say it is simple supply and demand. I remember when Purple death Palys cost an arm and a leg. Now I can't give them away. If it truly is rare and unique then why would the store try to sell it for any less then what they think they can get for it. If people do not buy it then it will more than likely go on sale. It's just business.

+1 if you do not like the Price of a Coral wait a while and be patient they will drop in price.

Patience is the key.

There are a lot of "Classic" Corals that look better than the new stuff anyways.

ex. Red Hornet for 10.00 a Polyp or Krakatoa for 2,500 a Polyp.

I will take the 10.00 Red Hornet any day over Krak - It looks a Million times better and is a million times cheaper too.

And if you really have to have Krakatoa - Well One day it will be 10.00 a Polyp too. You just have to wait.

Bali Green Slimer is still one of the Best Acros out there too (Cheap, easy to keep, and grows fast - What is not to love about this oldie but goodie)?

that Reef Guy · Jun 18, 2014

Frick said:
Maybe I am in the wrong here but I feel we are extremely lucky to be able to have this variety of live coral to purchase. You can still find some classics for decent prices and yes the new stuff will be more expensive and smaller. I would have to say it is simple supply and demand. I remember when Purple death Palys cost an arm and a leg. Now I can't give them away. If it truly is rare and unique then why would the store try to sell it for any less then what they think they can get for it. If people do not buy it then it will more than likely go on sale. It's just business.

I have not been doin this too long.

I was wondering.

When did Purple Death's Paly's arrive on the Scene.

And how much were they?

Pete polyp · Jun 18, 2014

that Reef Guy said:
+1 if you do not like the Price of a Coral wait a while and be patient they will drop in price.

Patience is the key.

There are a lot of "Classic" Corals that look better than the new stuff anyways.

ex. Red Hornet for 10.00 a Polyp or Krakatoa for 2,500 a Polyp.

I will take the 10.00 Red Hornet any day over Krak - It looks a Million times better and is a million times cheaper too.

And if you really have to have Krakatoa - Well One day it will be 10.00 a Polyp too. You just have to wait.

Bali Green Slimer is still one of the Best Acros out there too (Cheap, easy to keep, and grows fast - What is not to love about this oldie but goodie)?

I agree with this.

Personal taste also comes into play. Would I pay $10 per polyp for the same you would? Probably not. But there's certain ones I would pay that much for.

Frick · Jun 18, 2014

that Reef Guy said:
I have not been doin this too long.

I was wondering.

When did Purple Death's Paly's arrive on the Scene.

And how much were they?

I think I paid $100 per polyp 7-8 years ago. Back then people were having the same conversation about high priced corals and how stores are getting outrageous by selling zoas per polyp. I didn't realize how fast they would be come plentiful.

PolandSpring · Jun 20, 2014

There is also trends that occur and right now SPS are really hot. About 1-2 years ago, it was chalices that jumped in price from $250 an eye all the way up to even $1500 an eye (SC Dynamite). Today, you see vendors/hobbyist selling rainbows for $200-$400 an eye again. Last year, there were only a select amount of SPS frags that were at or over $250, this year $250 is cheap for a 'newer' piece. The Average price I see is anywhere from $350-400. Fads will always change and before you know it sps prices will drop again and zoa or chalice prices will sky rocket again.