I used to see those all the time in the Nineties. Big colonies, well everything was a colony, frags weren't a thing. All sorts of interesting soft corals could be had back then, not so much anymore sadly. All anyone thinks is cool anymore is SPS. Boooorrrriiiinnnngggg!
Yes agree they were available when I started 20 years ago. Then with the indo ban they were not seen in the hobby. Came across Marine Farmers. Owner Pablo. Great guy knowledgeable and keeper of these once common now rare stereonepthea