Eric's Coral ID Mini-Class has Fired-Up

Boomer · 05-10-2004, 06:45 PM

Based on a unknown coral ID post by Kevin, ReefRunner, I had Eric take a look at the image and we dreamed up this class ( Ok, Eric dreamt it up, I just stared the fire

)

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...1&goto=newpost

I was thinkin' of doing a copy/paste here but that will be waaaaaayy to complicated

TDEVIL · 05-10-2004, 08:26 PM

very nice of you Boomer

thanks

Jay

ReefLady · 05-10-2004, 08:28 PM

Eeek - gotta get the bleach out! ;-)

Thanks for the reminder.

Boomer · 05-11-2004, 07:43 PM

Bump

middletonmark · 05-12-2004, 12:44 PM

Have to smile ... as lots of people sure seem like they think they can ID Acropora ... and lots expressed interest.

But yet ... where is everyone?

ScottT1980 · 05-12-2004, 12:49 PM

I have skimmed through the thread, but haven't had a chance to actually READ it. I think that perhaps it might be a bit esoteric for some hobbiest. That and the fact that it involves some work from the hobbiest's side. Most people just want an ID, and if it requires any effort, they will just be satisfied with Acropora sp.

JMO, if I had some good SPS to add to this, I would do so...

Take er easy
Scott T.

middletonmark · 05-12-2004, 06:59 PM

Scott, you have a good point.

Previously I had started to giggle a bit when people throw out half [or all] their Acropora with species names ... now as my head spins in terminology and the actual process of `being sure'.
[you mean you believe the seller ... who got it from where? IMO, most likely their

]

I'll just realize in the future that this attempt to define species is just part of the `competitive reefing circuit' that it's fun to observe but I never want to fully join. I'll just name all my Acros human names.

But the whole `what species' conceals an underlying point, I think. Origin, general info on where/what reef it's from, conditions .... this is huge information. For captive frags, source of import and the captive history IMO would be great to track. Knowing how long it's been aquacultured, the origin, and something about it would be wonderful to have. A database, heck I've been tempted to compile a little `info sheet' about all my frags I pass along. I tend to think that's what people are aiming at with species ID [or showing off]. And knowing source location info is great - it's a real shame the collector can't write 2 sentences on where it was previously thriving. Anyway ...

I'm just trying to figure WTF with the frag I have and digest capitose and a number of other new words. Sure, I looked at them before [Veron, etc] ... but it's definitely an eye-opener. The hand lens and bleached branch have definitely filled me with even more wonder at the beauty and complexity

:

Boomer · 05-12-2004, 07:23 PM

I agree 100 % and not just on SPS corals either, but often on other animals/corals and plants. As I said on RC, I send Daphne a perfect pic of an anemone and she wants the real thing for ID

JB NY · 05-14-2004, 11:30 AM

Yeah, where is everyone? bleach those branches!!

I'm finding it a great little mini class. I've got some of the book, but trying to do an ID on your own with no help is a daunting task. So it's nice to have Eric telling you the things to look at, what's important, what's not etc.

FWIW I don't have a problem with people IDing acros. It helps when you are discussing them or trading. If you are familiar with the different species, you can, in your mind, picture what the acro looks like. I do have a problem, and have started a bunch of arguments with people/vendors who sell an acro for a huge price and tell me it a rare "whatever acro" that they have. Then you look at it and it looks nothing like what the real thing looks like. While they invariably fall back on, "all ID are just guesses anyway", I feel it is taking advantage of the less informed who don't know squat about coral identifications.

But anyway, as I said I find the whole process very interesting.

I ordered that Wallace book Eric is using too. Hopefully I'll have it in a week or so.

05-10-2004, 06:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,211 View Gallery Karma Komment	Eric's Coral ID Mini-Class has Fired-Up Based on a unknown coral ID post by Kevin, ReefRunner, I had Eric take a look at the image and we dreamed up this class ( Ok, Eric dreamt it up, I just stared the fire) http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...1&goto=newpost I was thinkin' of doing a copy/paste here but that will be waaaaaayy to complicated __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be. Last edited by Boomer : 05-10-2004 at 08:29 PM.

05-10-2004, 08:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
TDEVIL Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marion, INDIANA Posts: 1,170 View Gallery Karma Komment	very nice of you Boomer thanks Jay __________________ my web site <-- needs updated

05-10-2004, 08:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,031 View Gallery Karma Komment	Eeek - gotta get the bleach out! ;-) Thanks for the reminder. __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

05-11-2004, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,211 View Gallery Karma Komment	Bump __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

05-12-2004, 12:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
middletonmark Star Polyps Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 165 View Gallery Karma Komment	Have to smile ... as lots of people sure seem like they think they can ID Acropora ... and lots expressed interest. But yet ... where is everyone? __________________ smile smile smile

05-12-2004, 12:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,484 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have skimmed through the thread, but haven't had a chance to actually READ it. I think that perhaps it might be a bit esoteric for some hobbiest. That and the fact that it involves some work from the hobbiest's side. Most people just want an ID, and if it requires any effort, they will just be satisfied with Acropora sp. JMO, if I had some good SPS to add to this, I would do so... Take er easy Scott T. __________________ My Tank

05-12-2004, 06:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
middletonmark Star Polyps Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 165 View Gallery Karma Komment	Scott, you have a good point. Previously I had started to giggle a bit when people throw out half [or all] their Acropora with species names ... now as my head spins in terminology and the actual process of `being sure'. [you mean you believe the seller ... who got it from where? IMO, most likely their ] I'll just realize in the future that this attempt to define species is just part of the `competitive reefing circuit' that it's fun to observe but I never want to fully join. I'll just name all my Acros human names. But the whole `what species' conceals an underlying point, I think. Origin, general info on where/what reef it's from, conditions .... this is huge information. For captive frags, source of import and the captive history IMO would be great to track. Knowing how long it's been aquacultured, the origin, and something about it would be wonderful to have. A database, heck I've been tempted to compile a little `info sheet' about all my frags I pass along. I tend to think that's what people are aiming at with species ID [or showing off]. And knowing source location info is great - it's a real shame the collector can't write 2 sentences on where it was previously thriving. Anyway ... I'm just trying to figure WTF with the frag I have and digest capitose and a number of other new words. Sure, I looked at them before [Veron, etc] ... but it's definitely an eye-opener. The hand lens and bleached branch have definitely filled me with even more wonder at the beauty and complexity : __________________ smile smile smile Last edited by middletonmark : 05-12-2004 at 07:10 PM.

05-12-2004, 07:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,211 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree 100 % and not just on SPS corals either, but often on other animals/corals and plants. As I said on RC, I send Daphne a perfect pic of an anemone and she wants the real thing for ID __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

05-14-2004, 11:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
JB NY Fire Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island Posts: 69 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yeah, where is everyone? bleach those branches!! I'm finding it a great little mini class. I've got some of the book, but trying to do an ID on your own with no help is a daunting task. So it's nice to have Eric telling you the things to look at, what's important, what's not etc. FWIW I don't have a problem with people IDing acros. It helps when you are discussing them or trading. If you are familiar with the different species, you can, in your mind, picture what the acro looks like. I do have a problem, and have started a bunch of arguments with people/vendors who sell an acro for a huge price and tell me it a rare "whatever acro" that they have. Then you look at it and it looks nothing like what the real thing looks like. While they invariably fall back on, "all ID are just guesses anyway", I feel it is taking advantage of the less informed who don't know squat about coral identifications. But anyway, as I said I find the whole process very interesting. I ordered that Wallace book Eric is using too. Hopefully I'll have it in a week or so. __________________ -Joe

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