Green Leather Toadstool Sarcophyton Rare?

[sherm71tank]

I've seen these on Ebay selling for a lot of cash. Are these rare? Are there different types or shades of green toadstools? Any special care? Thank you in advance.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

I really hate to see the word "rare" used much in the hobby... at least in marketing. Little truth to it in the sense that all of these creatures are generally quite plentiful in the wild. They are at best uncommon (so far) in the trade/hobby.

Green polyped Sarcophytons do earn their high price moreso from being slow to grow and propagate. They need moderate to strong water flow and are surprisingly (and uncharacteristically Sarcophyton) sensitive to bright lights. MH is quite harsh on them.

To see best and brightest color and polyp extension, keep them under heavy blue fluorescent lamps.

At present, if you can grab one for abour $40-60, that would be fair retail. They are extremely common in some parts of the US (like Denver). You might hit up a sister club or society in such regions for a trade instead of paying somebody who's price gouging. Indeed... there is market law/supply and demand...but still... at some point these sales numbers for wacky items are just shameless price gouging

best regards,

Anthony

 

[Ed Hahn]

Sherm,
I bought a green polyped club finger from Kevin. I gave it to Blue Salt. Blue Salt will give you a frag of it I am sure. You just have to ask. That thing grew like it was going to take over Washington.

Anthony,
You have me looking for the word Tortuoso, Valida,Rosaria, Loripes, etc now. I am not looking for Rare anymore. I am also watching out for people trying to make money for shipping. One guy tried to get me for 70 dollars shipping from NC for one box. The price for 7 frags was good. The prices of shipping showed the guys true colors. A friend taught me how to check shipping prices by going to FedEX.com. I checked the price of shipping a box that weight. The price was less than 40 dollars easily. If some one will lie to you about prices before hand do you want to buy corals from them...no way...

 

[Anthony Calfo]

ah, yes... very good points, Ed

Indeed... when shipping costs gets misrepresented or not clearly disclosed, it does cast the seller's integrity into doubt. It's really a creepy way to do business when its deliberate (excessively padding shipping charges).

but you know/practice the ultimate defense against it: being an educated consumer!

Checking on actual shipping costs, comparing market prices... and not buying into the kind of marketing hype (claims of "rare", and ridiculous/unreal names, colors, etc)) that supports inflated prices. Rock on my brother

Anthony

 

[sherm71tank]

Thanks for the advise and replies. I had a tan colored toadstool that I fragged about a dozen times and traded/sold to local pet stores and wanted to try a green one. Thanks again.

 

[TonyMc]

I bought a toadstool from Kevin a few months ago and as Ed said it "grew like is was going to take over Washington". The polyps were always out. It was a very happy coral. It was tan under 10K. but a very fluorescent green under actinic. It was a beauty. I say was because I lost it after my heater stuck on me while I was at work Too bad because it would have made some nice frags.