Slapping Phony Names on Corals

Buzz1329 · 12/27/2012, 06:19 PM

Interesting exchange here.

OP/seller in Propagated Corals & Tank Raised Livestock Selling forum said:

Originally Posted by dviper150
Been getting some conflicting reports on the jawbreakers I posted. I bought them as jawbreakers so posted them up as them. Since I am getting a few people saying they aren't, I am going to take them down from sale until I figure out what they are.

I said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz1329

Ignore them. They are what you say they are. Debating whether a zoa is a true jawbreaker is like arguing over whether Tebow is a true QB. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

Removed~dc

Thanks. But who cares what arbitrary names are applied to color variations of a species of coral? What is the point other than trying to sell the coral to credulous aquarists at a higher price.

Conclusion:

Obviously I am remiss for not recognizing that a "jawbreaker" is a mushroom, rather than a zoa. But is there any value in applying cute names to color variations of coral species. Or is this just a marketing gimmick designed to flimflam newbies? And that's what I like to call a leading question.

Curious George · 12/27/2012, 06:34 PM

He certainly got to the point fast. I gotta admit, I laughed when I read the reply.

xcorallusx · 12/27/2012, 06:45 PM

First, its against the terms to post PRIVATE MESSAGES. Second, you're not allowed to post discussion in his for sale thread. Third I would be angry if I bought a jawbreaker mushroom for 150 and it turned out it was not one. Don't post/comment if you don't know what you're talking about... There is a market for limited edition corals, whether you agree with it or not.

sponger0 · 12/27/2012, 06:58 PM

It pretty much is a marketing gimmick to be able to charge more. Whether you agree or not thats how it is

Mikefallen13 · 12/27/2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

it pretty much is a marketing gimmick to be able to charge more. Whether you agree or not thats how it is

+1

xcorallusx · 12/27/2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

It pretty much is a marketing gimmick to be able to charge more. Whether you agree or not thats how it is

+1

Ostara · 12/27/2012, 07:53 PM

I'm pretty sure that sending insulting messages to other members is also against the rules.

Bdial · 12/27/2012, 08:09 PM

I thought jawbreakers were candy? I wouldn't pay 150$ for a piece of candy.
But I agree. Posting fancy names on corals is for the reason of selling them for more.

Overgrown · 12/27/2012, 08:20 PM

What was the issue? There are jawbreaker mushrooms as well as jawbreaker zoas.. As for the name game: have never understood why it bothers people. Just don't buy $$ or named coral if that's not what you're into.

ingtar_shinowa · 12/27/2012, 11:14 PM

Names are good for identifying certain morphs. If some says eagle eyes I know what the mean. If someone say "these red orange and green zoas" I might need to see what hes got, how exciting.

Some collectors like Fox and Tyree have big names and trusted stock so thats why their names earn more capital.

On a final note, never write anything to someone else you won't share with the world lol.

teog · 12/27/2012, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingtar_shinowa

names are good for identifying certain morphs. If some says eagle eyes i know what the mean. If someone say "these red orange and green zoas" i might need to see what hes got, how exciting.

Some collectors like fox and tyree have big names and trusted stock so thats why their names earn more capital.

On a final note, never write anything to someone else you won't share with the world lol.

+1

biocube14g · 12/27/2012, 11:40 PM

Don't put something on the Internet that you do not want everyone to to know...

JMLewis · 12/27/2012, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingtar_shinowa

Names are good for identifying certain morphs. If some says eagle eyes I know what the mean. If someone say "these red orange and green zoas" I might need to see what hes got, how exciting.

Some collectors like Fox and Tyree have big names and trusted stock so thats why their names earn more capital.

On a final note, never write anything to someone else you won't share with the world lol.

Couldn't agree more. I don't believe names have anything to do with gimmicky pricing. It's more about easily identifying certain corals.

SAZAMA · 12/27/2012, 11:51 PM

every coral has a name, and selling them by the scientific name simply would not work. all zoas are not the same and all acros are not the same. Compare the titles to a thread "FS purple, orange and green zoas" OR "FS Rastas". Sure a price tag also comes along with the newest corals of the month, but would you rather look at a Kia or a Lamborghini?

xcorallusx · 12/28/2012, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz1329

Ignore them. They are what you say they are. Debating whether a zoa is a true jawbreaker is like arguing over whether Tebow is a true QB. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

I still think this guy is an idiot, does not matter whether its on pm or on the board. He had no idea about what he was commenting on. People paying top dollar for limited edition coral expect to get that coral with the proper lineage. This guy has been selling a more common$ morph with the less common$$$ price tag. These mushrooms are new and in limited supply, once they are propagated, the price will go down and Buzz can finally get some. For now he will have to enjoy his green slimer and red cap. People also attach color related names to corals for identification purposes.

For people like buzz who have no idea what they are talking about here are some pictures
IronMan Mushroom

Jawbreaker

biocube14g · 12/28/2012, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcorallusx

I still think this guy is an idiot, does not matter whether its on pm or on the board. He had no idea about what he was commenting on. People paying top dollar for limited edition coral expect to get that coral with the proper lineage. This guy has been selling a more common$ morph with the less common$$$ price tag. These mushrooms are new and in limited supply, once they are propagated, the price will go down and Buzz can finally get some. For now he will have to enjoy his green slimer and red cap. People also attach color related names to corals for identification purposes.

For people like buzz who have no idea what they are talking about here are some pictures
IronMan Mushroom

Jawbreaker

Whoa there! No need to be a smart a(l).....and you are the only idiot on this thread.

biggles · 12/28/2012, 05:43 AM

You guys need to chill and stop insulting each other over what is nothing more than a simple misunderstanding and some differing opinions. We don't have fancy names for our SPS in Aus - i walked into my LFS a few days back and he had over 20 x 4" acro colonies for sale at $40-$45 each. I'm quite sure if one was named the purple platypus monster it would no longer be a $40 colony........ and yes we do have it good here lol.

pastorfry · 12/28/2012, 06:42 AM

Many fields of interest have a major convention/society/guild that publishes standard names. Given the above comments, I assume this is not the case for the aquarium hobby. For fields that include a money-making aspect such a standard is crucial for the integrity of the business. In the four months of owning a saltwater aquarium I've already learned I need to memorize the scientific names of species that interest me, but many times the Latin names are not published. Consequently, I'm a little suspicious of anyone selling something without giving the scientific name unless it's so cheap I wouldn't care anyway.

Do people really buy coral simply because someone has given it a nifty little name?

dc · 12/28/2012, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ostara

I'm pretty sure that sending insulting messages to other members is also against the rules.

x 2

As well as insulting members on the board

12/27/2012, 06:45 PM	#3
xcorallusx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Blacksburg, Va Posts: 670	First, its against the terms to post PRIVATE MESSAGES. Second, you're not allowed to post discussion in his for sale thread. Third I would be angry if I bought a jawbreaker mushroom for 150 and it turned out it was not one. Don't post/comment if you don't know what you're talking about... There is a market for limited edition corals, whether you agree with it or not. Last edited by xcorallusx; 12/27/2012 at 06:55 PM.

12/27/2012, 08:09 PM	#8
Bdial Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Huntington, wv Posts: 675	I thought jawbreakers were candy? I wouldn't pay 150$ for a piece of candy. But I agree. Posting fancy names on corals is for the reason of selling them for more. __________________ Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good. Haste makes waste. WINTER IS COMING

12/27/2012, 11:40 PM	#12
biocube14g Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Templeton, CA Posts: 240	Don't put something on the Internet that you do not want everyone to to know... __________________ "Just one day, the ocean will be dominated by clownfish, and you will no longer hear of a shark attack, but rather a clown attack!"- MYSELF Current Tank Info: JBJ 28 Nano Cube, 14k Metal Halides, UV Sterilizer, HOB Protein Skimmer, 30 Lbs LR Main display; 30 Lbs rubble in sump, 10 Gallon Sump, 2 Hydor Koralia 240's, RIO 2100 Return Pump

12/27/2012, 11:51 PM	#14
SAZAMA Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northglenn ,Colorado Posts: 639	every coral has a name, and selling them by the scientific name simply would not work. all zoas are not the same and all acros are not the same. Compare the titles to a thread "FS purple, orange and green zoas" OR "FS Rastas". Sure a price tag also comes along with the newest corals of the month, but would you rather look at a Kia or a Lamborghini? __________________ I enjoy long walks, next to my reef tank...LOVE 303 Current Tank Info: water box

12/27/2012, 06:34 PM	#2
Curious George Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 748	He certainly got to the point fast. I gotta admit, I laughed when I read the reply.

12/27/2012, 06:58 PM	#4
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	It pretty much is a marketing gimmick to be able to charge more. Whether you agree or not thats how it is

12/27/2012, 07:53 PM	#7
Ostara Keep Calm and Reef On Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California Posts: 302	I'm pretty sure that sending insulting messages to other members is also against the rules.

12/27/2012, 08:20 PM	#9
Overgrown Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 250	What was the issue? There are jawbreaker mushrooms as well as jawbreaker zoas.. As for the name game: have never understood why it bothers people. Just don't buy $$ or named coral if that's not what you're into.

12/27/2012, 11:14 PM	#10
ingtar_shinowa Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Billings MT Posts: 1,610	Names are good for identifying certain morphs. If some says eagle eyes I know what the mean. If someone say "these red orange and green zoas" I might need to see what hes got, how exciting. Some collectors like Fox and Tyree have big names and trusted stock so thats why their names earn more capital. On a final note, never write anything to someone else you won't share with the world lol.

12/28/2012, 05:43 AM	#17
biggles Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 3,907	You guys need to chill and stop insulting each other over what is nothing more than a simple misunderstanding and some differing opinions. We don't have fancy names for our SPS in Aus - i walked into my LFS a few days back and he had over 20 x 4" acro colonies for sale at $40-$45 each. I'm quite sure if one was named the purple platypus monster it would no longer be a $40 colony........ and yes we do have it good here lol.

12/28/2012, 06:42 AM	#18
pastorfry Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 13	Many fields of interest have a major convention/society/guild that publishes standard names. Given the above comments, I assume this is not the case for the aquarium hobby. For fields that include a money-making aspect such a standard is crucial for the integrity of the business. In the four months of owning a saltwater aquarium I've already learned I need to memorize the scientific names of species that interest me, but many times the Latin names are not published. Consequently, I'm a little suspicious of anyone selling something without giving the scientific name unless it's so cheap I wouldn't care anyway. Do people really buy coral simply because someone has given it a nifty little name?