What are the "bread and butter" corals?

[MoshJosh]

What are the "bread and butter" corals, ones that every shop should carry and every reefer should try at least once.

The Challenge:

Name one coral in each "category":

SPS
LPS
Soft

Extra credit:

List three corals!!!

 

[Cell]

You looking for a trade name or just species?

 

[MoshJosh]

You looking for a trade name or just species?

Both if you got it, but trade name is probably fine on it's own. Like Green Slimer is probably more helpful to my goal than just Acropora sp. (or whatever GS is haha).

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

The bread and butter corals sell for pennies...you're going to likely lose money in the learning process. If it's worth the lesson you believe you'll learn go for it but just keep that in mind.

 

[Northern Flicker]

Honestly, it really depends on your market.

I think there's very good money in things like Euphyllia, Zoas, Mushrooms. All corals you can grow somewhat quickly, are hardy, and people love them. Toadstools are also in demand.

There's crazy money in SPS but your customers will be very on the ball and your reputation will be on the line. They also grow a bit slower and carry a ton more risk.

One of my local guys mentioned the trends - he used to not be able to stock torches they were so in demand. Then it was high end Zoas. Then it was Acans and mushrooms. Now I think he says it's going back to SPS. I wonder if the economy was booming and was flooded with newer customers, but with things tightening up, its mostly the SPS guys driving sales.

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

Devils hand - Softie
Any Euphillia - LPS
Montipora - SPS

 

[MoshJosh]

FOLKS THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A CONTINUATION OF THE BLOODBATH THAT WAS MY LAST THREAD!!!

Just wanting to know what are some industry standards!!!

 

[Cell]

PC Rainbow

Sunny D zoa

Blasto merletti

 

[SnazzyUrchin792]

GSP

Euphyllia

Montipora

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

What is your fundamental motivation in all honesty?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

U can see the trends in the marketplace and live sales. Seems to b for future business plan.

 

[MoshJosh]

What is your fundamental motivation in all honesty?

My motivation is to have fun and try to further my hobby.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

My motivation is to have fun and try to further my hobby.

Oh ok, that's an awesome reason then! What's it matter if it's not profitable at all in that case? Breaking even should be fine. A passion is a passion.

 

[billyocean]

Sps digitata
Soft zoa..pick one
Lps hammer

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Possibly a good and even profitable idea: focus on rare and expensive zoas. Super easy to grow and valuable if you get the right ones.

 

[exnisstech]

The hottest acro
The hottest torch
Weeping willow

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I'd really consider that actually (focusing on rare and expensive zoas). Parameters can fluctuate, they're resilient and colors won't change dramatically due to light so they'll appear to be what you bought them as, fragging them is very simple, and they take up such little space!

 

[MoshJosh]

The hottest acro
The hottest torch
Weeping willow

Couldn't agree more!

ever store needs a surplus of Home Wreckers, Indo Golds, and OG Weeping Willow!

 

[Crustaceon]

The one that no one will have for the next few months that I paid 10X too much for, was grown entirely under REALLY expensive lights ran at a fraction of their capability and has a fancy name.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

FOLKS THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A CONTINUATION OF THE BLOODBATH THAT WAS MY LAST THREAD!!!

Just wanting to know what are some industry standards!!!

I’m going to throw something out here since you’re making several posts about the in and outs of starting a coral business. Join a local club, meet with people who are already doing it. See if someone is willing to be a mentor and let you see their setup in person. A lot more could be learned by seeing an operation first hand and talking shop with the proprietor. Plus, most people love to walk you around and share their passion as well as failures and success. There may be some apprehension about giving away too many tricks of the trade, but you’ll get some solid knowledge. Remember to buy something while you’re there.