Why are most corals brown?

[six.line]

Most of the fish stores around here sell the same color of practically everything, even though it's very often labeled 'green,' 'red,' or 'orange.'

I just don't get it. There are some beautiful specimens in tanks that I've seen, but when I go to fish store-- I never see the pretty colors. How does one go about getting colorful coral?

[rdaled]

From what I have been told it has to do with the water quality causing the coral to produce a brown algea that covers up it's real color. But I may be completely off base.

[TekCat]

I have also heard that low Alkalinity contributes to coral's discoloration. Is this true?

[dragonladylea]

Lighting and water parameters have alot to do with coral color, for instance I was using a 10K MH bulb and got great growth but my colors started to "brown-out", 20k MH would bring out the color but slower growth, so I opted for the 14K and my color is coming back and I can still see visible growth. higher nitrate and phosphate levels will also add to "browning".

[six.line]

So is it possible to buy a brown coral, say some kind of acropora, and then have it 'regain' its color through excellent lighting, water parameters, and husbandry?

[harry1215]

it is absolutely possible as long as you have the correct lighting, good water parameters, and good water flow.

[dragonladylea]

Its also fun! you can usually get them cheaper because they arent colorful and get a nice surprise when they regain their glory!

[six.line]

Have you had personal experience with getting an ugly ole coral and turning it pretty?

[dragonladylea]

This is one of my latest finds was a pretty ugly brown with pinkish eyes and a slight blue tint. Now its a nice baby blue with pink eyes.

[six.line]

hmmm...

How do you know what color it's supposed to be? Or do you just buy the coral?

[dragonladylea]

Thats the surprise and the fun part, not knowing what your going to get, especially when you get something really nice and it didnt cost as much as it would have if it had been colored up.

[aquarius77]

I have had coral (acro) given to me by a friend and had it turn green from brown. shortly after him seeing the difference he purchased a new lighting system and now his acro that was brown is starting to look like the one in my tank.

It is very possible that what you see at most LFS is not what the coral will look like under great conditions.

[six.line]

Very inspiring. Thanks.

[sandry75]

All - This is interesting.
I have seen several acro's lately that are pretty cheap ($10-$25) that I thought were priced that way due to the drab coloring. What are the odds the coral will remain tan/brown?

I may be looking at a road trip after work tomorrow!

[graveyardworm]

Keep an eye on this thread hopefully more people will post, I just posted pics of a browned acro which colored up really nice.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=972885

[Chrismo]

Most corals in the wild are brown. I think if you buy one of these, it is rare to have it colour up. BUT, if a coral which is colourful in the wild, is imported, and turns brown at the LFS, I think that coral can regain it's colour fairly easily.

The stores around here rarely have brown corals these days. They should start selling them as RARE!

[graveyardworm]

Most corals in the wild are brown.

I would have to disagree. Unfortunatly I havent been there personally to speak from experience, but I rarely see brown corals at LFS other than ones which become unnaturally browned due to high nutrients/poor lighting in LFS tanks. I think if brown was more common we would see much more of it at the LFS's. Also the pictures and videos I see from coral reefs are always full of color.

[dragonladylea]

Chrismo no offense but if most corals in the wild were brown people wouldnt pay to dive or take lessons so they could dive. And I am speaking from experience when I say they do color up nicely, we have posted pics to prove this.

[Chrismo]

No offence taken at all. I totally hear what you are saying, I havent dove a lot and never in fiji/indo, but in the 3 places i did go. Most corals were brown. Nowadays the importers mostly bring in the colourful ones since that is what everyone is looking to buy. Also Michael Paletta said the same thing at a seminar I was at recently. In most places you have to look for a non-brown SPS.
He had a very cool story about a huge tank he was setting up- the owner was mega rich, and flew him to fiji, so they could hunt for corals for his tank back home.

Anyone else been diving in fiji etc. that can back me up, or tell me I'm wrong?
(I only meant sps by the way - also, when people take pictures/video they are going to take them of the most colourfull things.)
Chris

[tkeracer619]

want color. go to www.ultimatefrags.com and skip the lfs all together. Its rare I find anything in a lfs to compare to this place.

[tkeracer619]

oh I got a brown sps once. Now it is bright bright blue. So yes they definitly can change color.

[dragonladylea]

I and many others have seen this or had this happen enough times to prove that ideal lighting and ideal water quality can and will change a coral completely. Unfortunately we no longer have ideal conditions in our oceans and seas thanks to pollutants and global warming.

Here is a pic of a coral that went from beautiful to brown due to less than ideal water quality. Thankfully its now on its way back.

[tobyp]

fish store in lease it is a good reef store were im from i travel 2 hours to get good corals

[tobyp]

dragon nice polyp structure

[Chrismo]

Oh ya! thats very nice!