Fusion in reefing: How do you feel about grafted corals?

[Peace River]

Fusion in reefing: How do you feel about grafted corals?

Fusion has been a quest for scientists for a long time, and reef keepers have been able to achieve a type of fusion with grafted corals. These blended corals are the result of frags that are fused together and display the separate characteristics of the original pieces and yet are combined into a single colony. When done well, the outcome can be truly stunning! Grafted corals are a strong reflection of innovation and care of the coral keeper who grafted the coral as well as the potential beauty and contrast of the resulting blended coral piece. The uniqueness and (often) rarity of grafted coral colonies have made them highly desirable for many reef keepers. Of course, this may or may not be a universal preference. How do you feel about grafted corals?

Photo by @WWC

For more information on grafting corals, please consider reading the R2R article about the Art of Coral Grafting.

This QOTD is sponsored by: www.worldwidecorals.com

“We differentiate ourselves from other vendors by offering our customers full transparency into our facility and practices. Setting the industry standard for shipping techniques, accurate high-quality photos, hard to find corals, and customer service. For some hobbyists buying live coral online can seem like a risky endeavor. At WWC our staff takes the worry out of the equation by culturing extremely healthy corals, giving you a hassle-free guarantee, and providing you with a full online customer service team to ensure you are completely satisfied with your purchase.”

 

[GlassMunky]

I more so have an issue with the term “grafted” in relation to corals.
None of them are actually grafted by the true definition.
Most just have some sort of protein infection (GFP as example) or have horizontally transferred genes.

Anything with multiple colors next to each other just seems to be named “grafted”

 

[Joe462]

I more so have an issue with the term “grafted” in relation to corals.
None of them are actually grafted by the true definition.
Most just have some sort of protein infection (GFP as example) or have horizontally transferred genes.

Anything with multiple colors next to each other just seems to be named “grafted”

Yes, agreed. I don’t know of any “grafted” corals that are actually the result of two corals that were fused together.

I do enjoy the look of many “grafted” corals though.

 

[Vinaka_vakalevu]

I more so have an issue with the term “grafted” in relation to corals.
None of them are actually grafted by the true definition.
Most just have some sort of protein infection (GFP as example) or have horizontally transferred genes.

Anything with multiple colors next to each other just seems to be named “grafted”

Yes, agreed. I don’t know of any “grafted” corals that are actually the result of two corals that were fused together.

I do enjoy the look of many “grafted” corals though.

thank you both for answering a question I always had about the methodology of "coral grafting"

 

[AtlantiCat]

As long as they're fully aquacultured, I don't see an issue with it. I like the color contrast and I think some of them look pretty awesome.

 

[dank.reefer]

"Grafted" seems like just another money grab from unscrupulous coral vendors looking to tack a higher price tag on corals. The more sought after a coral is right now the more common it will be in a year or 2.

 

[shakacuz]

don't have any grafted corals in my tank, but wouldn't mind having some.

 

[vanguard]

I like grafted corals and I could see buying them. However, I just can't seem to pull out my wallet and pay $200 for a pair of $20 montis grafted together.

As the tank fills up my budget for corals rises. When I "need" 40 pieces I'm looking at my budget because 40 x anything is a lot. When I have space for a single new one, I'm Elon Musk.

 

[Reef Puncher]

As long as they're fully aquacultured, I don't see an issue with it. I like the color contrast and I think some of them look pretty awesome.

same. i think they look wayyyyy better than regular colored ones. i have the TSA nuclear fusion monti and its awesome. it looks just like the WWC grafted monti but brighter red coloration.

 

[Alexraptor]

I mean, I wouldn't exclude them from my tank, but I for sure wouldn't be paying to have them.

 

[twiatr2001]

I think grafted corals are awesome and are a great reflection on what we have achieved in the reefing hobby, I have two specimens in my tank currently, thanks to the pioneers at WWC and TSA, they have really created some nice pieces using this method, weather on purpose or by chance, some are very stunning, I myself am attempting to have two different grafted pieces combine together in my tank, fingers crossed! I especially like the TSA triple grafted montipora, just stunning!

 

[SaltwaterChef]

I have the grafted turbinaria heroensis that Jake Adams loved. Beautiful coral forsure.

 

[SaltwaterChef]

I have the grafted turbinaria heroensis that Jake Adams loved. Beautiful coral forsure.

 

[Reef Puncher]

I think grafted corals are awesome and are a great reflection on what we have achieved in the reefing hobby, I have two specimens in my tank currently, thanks to the pioneers at WWC and TSA, they have really created some nice pieces using this method, weather on purpose or by chance, some are very stunning, I myself am attempting to have two different grafted pieces combine together in my tank, fingers crossed! I especially like the TSA triple grafted montipora, just stunning!

oh do you have a pic? i have the TSA nuclear fusion monti and i LOVE it

 

[twiatr2001]

No pictures on me currently, but in the early stages of grow out, won't know for at least another couple of months.

 

[WizardOfAAAHHHs]

I'll buy some! HOWEVER, only IF the subsequent price stays within reason & whoever aquacultures it isn't getting GREEDY & DOING the grafting solely to garner SUPER ASTRONOMICAL prices! Keep operations at ground level & I'm onboard!