How to tell if a coral is dyed a different color?

[Tennyson]

pieces of the ocean had some of these for sale for $50- it was only one head, but some places sell the yellow/orange ones for that price. I was pretty surprised to see them at that price. Logic tells me that over time, more growth (if the coral gets to that point) would at least decrease the concentration of the pigment in the coral, assuming the coral is unable to produce those pigments. I doubt any new polyps would magically be back to the original color, rather you would slowly see the pigment spread out over time, so the coral would eventually revert to its true color- This is all speculation though.

I think vendors are starting to realize that these sun coral have no value at the rate they're coming in.

And I agree. I think dyed coral will either get sick like mine did and spend its energy throwing up the dye. The ones that fare better diffuse the dye into new growth, fading the pigment out over time.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I have seen legit odd colored Tubastrea like this recently, but only from two vendors. The first and other pics look saturated but the corals are real. In the past (I mean 15-20+years ago) we saw some died soft corals but I haven't seen any since, especially no stony corals. So in short, it's a real coral they're just oversaturating pictures and scamming it sounds like.

I had 10+ colonies, every tank they went in nuked everything.... bummer. $10,000+ of Corals lost

 

[duberii]

I think vendors are starting to realize that these sun coral have no value at the rate they're coming in.

And I agree. I think dyed coral will either get sick like mine did and spend its energy throwing up the dye. The ones that fare better diffuse the dye into new growth, fading the pigment out over time.

That’s more of a long term solution to detecting dyed corals unfortunately.
Sun corals should be dirt cheap seeing as it’s invasive in many areas- the prices are being driven entirely by markups. I doubt the distribution network would jack up the prices that much. They should be selling for $20 next to xenias and gsp

 

[EMeyer]

Funny thing about it. Tubastrea is invasive in the Caribbean, and is removed and destroyed by managers. As far as I know there is no legal mechanism for collecting and selling these invasive corals in the Gulf or Caribbean, despite their abundance.

Tubastrea is native and abundant throughout the Indo Pacific. Imported prices would be cheap.... except that import prices are driven by the cost of air freight. So wholesalers charge $30-$60 for Tubastrea.

IOW, environmental regulations prevent us from getting the local Tubastrea, while covid makes Indo Pacific imports expensive.

 

[duberii]

Funny thing about it. Tubastrea is invasive in the Caribbean, and is removed and destroyed by managers. As far as I know there is no legal mechanism for collecting and selling these invasive corals in the Gulf or Caribbean, despite their abundance.

Tubastrea is native and abundant throughout the Indo Pacific. Imported prices would be cheap.... except that import prices are driven by the cost of air freight. So wholesalers charge $30-$60 for Tubastrea.

IOW, environmental regulations prevent us from getting the local Tubastrea, while covid makes Indo Pacific imports expensive.

Interesting- I had no idea. Maybe TBS will start getting some on their rock. I’m sure any buyer would love to have an extra hitchhiker.

 

[JAMSOURY]

Since quite a few people have these, anyone know how bad the dye is for the tank?

 

[duberii]

Since quite a few people have these, anyone know how bad the dye is for the tank?

Malachite (the root of one of the dyes they mentioned) is copper- so I assume it’s lethal

 

[esther]

Since quite a few people have these, anyone know how bad the dye is for the tank?

We’ve had one in our tank for about a month. No negative effects because I don’t believe it’s a dyed coral. Polyps extend in the AM and in the evening about .5”. Super healthy.

 

[JAMSOURY]

We’ve had one in our tank for about a month. No negative effects because I don’t believe it’s a dyed coral. Polyps extend in the AM and in the evening about .5”. Super healthy.

Same here, I still don’t fully believe mine dyed. Does your color rub off on a paper towel as well? Mine is also super healthy.

 

[esther]

Same here, I still don’t fully believe mine dyed. Does your color rub off on a paper towel as well? Mine is also super healthy.

I never tried that because the thought of it being dyed never crossed my mind. I’ve seen these in the wild diving.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I never tried that because the thought of it being dyed never crossed my mind. I’ve seen these in the wild diving.

Where are they found? Thx

 

[esther]

Where are they found? Thx

All over the world. I’ve seen them in Fiji, Indonesia & the Caribbean.

 

[JAMSOURY]

All over the world. I’ve seen them in Fiji, Indonesia & the Caribbean.

Awesome! Thanks for your input! Would be so cool to see these in person

 

[esther]

Here’s a pic of mine just now right before lights out.

 

[H3rm1tCr@b]

Interesting- I had no idea. Maybe TBS will start getting some on their rock. I’m sure any buyer would love to have an extra hitchhiker.

I did order some recently, so I’ll mention it if I do find some! Hasn’t gotten here yet but it’s rough in Florida right now

 

[Tennyson]

Here’s a pic of mine just now right before lights out.

Could we see your colony under white light? It's definitely possible that genuine blue sun coral exist and are being mixed in with dyed ones. If there is a real blue I'd love to see it.

 

[noahreefer]

I’ll have to see if anything comes off of mine but I’ve had it for 2ish months now and it’s seems to be doing great

 

[esther]

Could we see your colony under white light? It's definitely possible that genuine blue sun coral exist and are being mixed in with dyed ones. If there is a real blue I'd love to see it.

Does this help?

 

[ReefdUp]

I received this from a member that thought it might be dyed (member reported adverse effects on other corals upon placing in the tank), and honestly, I was convinced too... at first. After more than a month of having it, I believe it's natural.

Yes, yellowish-green pigment does go everywhere if smeared, but with regular corals we get that as just a brown color. (Zooxanthallae versus whatever nature is using for the blue.) I had no adverse effects placing the coral in my tank.

Here are some photos of one freshly fragged and of the towel I used.

Hope that helps!

 

[Reverend Turtle]

Just got one today, I hope it's not dyed.