RED DRAGON.. Whats the big hype??

[Italeri]

Alright. I have a feeling that I am going to get kicked around here... But what is so great about the red dragon acro???
I have seen it for sale on here many times from $50-$100 for a 1" frag. And every single picture I have seen is a very washed out
red color! So what is the big hype about it? It doesnt look super colorful in pictures I have seen, and it is quite expensive! Am i
missing something here? Post Pics of your red dragon too if you feel it will help me understand why this piece is so sought after!!

 

[droblack]

RD is more of an atypical acro and color morph than an amazing color combo coral. It is somewhat rare, and has a cool growth pattern. It used to go for a lot more. The price should keep dropping, it is a pretty fast grower.

 

[watchguy123]

It grows into a beautiful,shaped colony with fine branches--it is indeed spectacular and unusual in both color and morphology. Of course, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder

 

[Italeri]

Am i just not seeing the color morph in the pictures?? They always look like a washed out pink color to me..

 

[watchguy123]

 

[Italeri]

yea exactly my point.. that one looks a little more red. so better than most ive seen. but $100 for a 1" frag?

 

[watchguy123]

The price has come down, I believe. But value, beauty, choice, they all remain as personal choice

 

[buddythelion]

$100? for 1"? You've been shopping at the wrong places. Rocky Mountain Frags was selling mini-colonies for $200-300 shipped.

 

[slojmn]

How about this Beauty, Joe's Golden Dragon!!! Gold tips with yellow polyps. Absolutely stellar :D. The new growth branches will be lighter in color but as it grows out the red is super deep and gorgeous with the yellow polyps for contrast. Hard to see the yellow polyps in full since they were retracted after a water change but I snapped a quick pictrue with all the pumps off and clean, clear water :)

 

[Reefing Madness]

How about this Beauty, Joe's Golden Dragon!!! Gold tips with yellow polyps. Absolutely stellar :D. The new growth branches will be lighter in color but as it grows out the red is super deep and gorgeous with the yellow polyps for contrast. Hard to see the yellow polyps in full since they were retracted after a water change but I snapped a quick pictrue with all the pumps off and clean, clear water :)

Ok, now this one is worth the $$, but not the picture shown above this one. IMO.

 

[miyags]

Are all dragons, acropora carduus???

 

[Italeri]

Yes this 2nd pic looks better, especially with the yellow contrast. But even for $50 for a 1" which i have seen a lot on the selling forum here, i just am not seeing why its so expensive for the regular red dragon...

 

[mnat]

When the red dragon first arrived it was about 250 for a one inch frag so it has actually come down in price. IIRC, the reason for that price was because it was really the first of the deep water acros to come in. It was completely and totally unique in color and structure which is why is commanded a high price. Now, they are imported with regularity, but that first piece from CITR was something special. It has also been aqua cultured for a few years now, which means you have a better shot of survival then some of the maricultured and wild pieces coming in with regularity now. In a vacuum just looking as what is available today, yes it is a bit pricey, but the history of this acro is unique.

 

[scodiddy]

Wow...that's an awesome colony!!

 

[Gamble]

I still love the unique growth structure. It's all about the look of a happy colony!

 

[Gundo]

I still love the unique growth structure. It's all about the look of a happy colony!

Growth structure was also my answer. It's unique.

 

[MIKE NY]

Agreed it is pricey, but coming down as it becomes more available.. now there are different color morphs being introduced...here's mine ..it took a few months to settle in, but it's starting to take off now..

10/12


11/13

 

[kacrocorals581]

Every sps tank needs a dragon my fav is purple dragon eyes thoses green poylps a sweet

 

[MitchReef]

I think it's hype. Don't worry, it appears to grow like crazy so it will be a forgotten craze pretty fast. I can remember tiny pieces of Sunset Montipora selling for $275 and the famous Bubblegum Monster chalice selling for uber bux per speck, but now either can be had for a modest trade.

It's just the hype of the day. I have grown much nicer color and growth form corals. I think it looks like a poorly colored Acropora echinata. I realize it isn't but that's just my opinion.

 

[Diamond Jack]

I never pulled the trigger on a frag because the color never really knocked me out, but have always thought the growth pattern was nice. Ended up finding a frag in my clubs frag swap. We shall see what happens. My tank is a lower light tank so I'm hoping to bring some color out of it.