And the winner of most controversial coral of the year goes to..... (drum roll) Acanthastrea!!!
Seriously, though, I understand both points of view. Inflated prices? Yes. But artificially inflated? I'm not convinced that a very small handful of people can do such a thing. In fact, I'm not so sure they would want to invest the time and energy. I mean, everyone knew it was a matter of time before collectors started bringing in acans by the barrel.
I remember seeing rics at over $100 per polyp, and certain zoanthids, but I don't remember the outcry with those. I tend to think the only difference was, there wasn't a set group of people to whom others could point the finger.
Seems to me, there are different types of hobbyists- those who are "collectors" and those who simply choose the corals that please them the most. Downset, for example, is a collector- he states chasing corals is half the fun. Nothing wrong with that. I was a zoanthid collector for a while. Obsessed, I wanted them all. Now I choose to keep what I find pleasing, and think that's fine too.
My theory: The collectors out there are willing to pay a premium, and always will be. Which angers the types who want to keep what pleases them, because they see something that pleases them but it's too expensive because of supply and demand.
Me? I'm not angry. I think acans are beautiful corals, and some day, when the price comes down, I'll certainly have one.
Rant over.
