Pearlberry

[gparr]

I don't usually get very excited about SPS coral. But, the other day, I got a chance to photograph some corals owned by Joe Sagan in Streamwood, IL. One of the colonies he has is the Pearlberry acropora. This is the first I've seen this coral and it's a real eye catcher. Joe is growing this colony under T5s in a 40 breeder. Here are a couple of shots.
Gary

 

[aerius007]

Nice shots, thanks.

 

[Amici]

Stunning as always Gary! Do you happen to know the specs on his setup and which bulbs he was running? I know its a slim chance but its worth a chance because hes doing something right!

 

[pwoller]

Maybe I'm missing something but why is there complete lack of color in between the branches? Maybe its my moniter????

 

[Amici]

Its how the coral looks. Google Pearlberry Acro and you can see some other pictures of it but none will likely look this good!

 

[gparr]

Pwoller, Thanks for the compliment. As Amici stated, what you're seeing is the normal color pattern for the coral.

Amici, Thanks for the compliments. I just happen to have his lamp combination because I had the same question. It's listed below. He has a simple setup: 40 breeder, sump, macro algae in the sump on a reverse cycle, DT's alk/Ca/Mg dosing, and he uses the Brightwell bacteria booster additive. I think it's called MicroBacter, but I'm not sure. I'll try to get him to join here (He's a member of that other site) and comment.
Gary

ATI Blue plus
ATI Blue plus
Geismann Actinic plus
ATI Blue plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue plus

 

[juiceguy]

is that the ORA Pearlberry? i never seen that color morph, that is a beautiful piece

 

[revhtree]

Gary that is just wild brother. It can't get any better can it?

 

[Poseidon]

WOW! That looks really weird for a pearlberry! Awesome shot, excellent detail.

 

[gparr]

is that the ORA Pearlberry? i never seen that color morph, that is a beautiful piece

I don't know if it's the ORA variety or not. It is a beautiful piece. The color morph shown is what I saw. When correcting the white balance, I simply made the white part of the tissue white and let the color be what it is. It matched what I saw. I looked for other shots of the coral on the Internet, but all of the shots I found were standard blue shots or obviously doctored. When you approach his tank, it doesn't take long before your eyes lock in on the colony.

Gary

 

[gparr]

Thanks Rev, Mike.

Mike, I've worked the white balance as many ways as I can and the color keeps coming up the way it's shown and the way I saw it, so I'm comfortable with the color accuracy.

Gary

 

[ness]

I've never seen a Pearlberry that looked like that. Usually green/blue.

 

[Leishman]

When are you and that camera going to be in DC?

 

[gparr]

I've never seen a Pearlberry that looked like that. Usually green/blue.

Interesting. This one isn't anywhere near green/blue, even without the white balance corrected.
Gary

 

[gparr]

When are you and that camera going to be in DC?

LOL!! I tend to travel with some regularity. Might be a trip in the future.
Gary

 

[killingseed2000]

great coral, nice pictures.

 

[firsttime]

Just out of curiosity. My ora pearlberry looks blue , this one looks reddish brown. Are they the same or is it a different morph?

Mine is smaller(2.5 inch high and 2 inch wide) in size though so I am not sure if the color changes as they grow bigger

 

[benny z]

i would have to agree that the coral doesn't look like any pearlberry i've seen.

http://www.oracorals.com/ora-pearlberry-acropora/

nice coral, regardless!

 

[H@rry]

I have a small .75 inch frag. It looks nothing like that though. Mine's mostly green. I'll be glad when it grows out to look anything like that one.

 

[MikeB]

i would have to agree that the coral doesn't look like any pearlberry i've seen.

ORA Pearlberry Acropora, ORA Pearlberry Acropora Coral, ORA Pearlberry Acropora Frag

nice coral, regardless!

Thats what mine looks like