Question

cheryllw · May 12, 2025

Hello everyone. I just finished watching the documentary on building reefs. I wonder is it possible to grow the coral at home but then ALSO, hand it over to who is responsible for rebuilding the reefs in our oceans? Like grow it at home to rebuild the coral reefs. Anyone know if this is possible, or if the coral would just end up dying because of the change.

revhtree · May 12, 2025

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

fishface NJ · May 12, 2025

Welcome to R2R. I don't know the answer to your question

Crabs McJones · May 12, 2025

Welcome to R2R!
I'm not sure the answer to your question. I know there are multiple reef conservation groups around the world. Possible check them out and reach out to them

Brisk · May 12, 2025

Welcome!

vetteguy53081 · May 12, 2025

vetteguy53081 · May 12, 2025

cheryllw said:
Hello everyone. I just finished watching the documentary on building reefs. I wonder is it possible to grow the coral at home but then ALSO, hand it over to who is responsible for rebuilding the reefs in our oceans? Like grow it at home to rebuild the coral reefs. Anyone know if this is possible, or if the coral would just end up dying because of the change.

There's a good chance most will not take the coral as it may be risk in their eyes with foreign introduction or impact to their coral propagation. The best chance would be a university with marine biology program but I know our local zoos and aquariums will not , due to risk to their own livestock

Gumbies R Us · May 12, 2025

I would get in touch with some reef conservation groups and see what they have to say.
Welcome to Reef2Reef!

jsmkmavity · May 12, 2025

I think most of those programs are using corals from the area and propagating them and then re-planting them. As others have said most wouldnt allow corals from someone/somewhere else. You might be able to become a volunteer at one.

Anna K · May 12, 2025

Welcome to the community! What a great question, and a lot of answers already for it :)

Fish Fan · May 12, 2025

Good question, I have no idea, but Welcome to Reef2Reef!

CoralB · May 12, 2025

Welcome !! :cool:

ShakeyGizzard · May 12, 2025

Seems like most coral reef rebuilding is done in the area of the reef they are trying to improve. This may involve fragging the existing corals to start new colonies on the reef. but this is best answered by the pros.

Welcome to Reef2Reef

Reef Regeneration · May 12, 2025

Welcome to Reef2Reef! That is a great question! One thing to remember is that in a diverse aquarium, the corals in there are from different parts of the world. Each come in with different microbial communities, and they can incorporate and interact with each other's microbiome. If you then release these corals back into their native environments, you are potentially also releasing new pathogenic bacteria and new viruses onto reefs - acting as invasive species. This also does not include any potential ectoparasites that live on the corals, such as different parasitic copepods on Acropora.

There are many institutions that have ex-situ land-based aquaculture that are then transferred to the oceans, such as the Coral Restoration Foundation in Florida. In this case, they are only keeping and growing local species, so there are no concerns about invasive species. In terms of what this hobby can do for reefs, the best scenario for wild-reefs would be for this hobby to reduce the amount of coral we harvest and import from the wild. Hobbyists that want to make a difference should choose aquacultured corals over freshly harvested wild corals.