Elegance coral importation

[jolt9]

I was talking to a really knowledgeable guy about elegance corals and he mentioned that it's not as hard to find healthy ones as it used to be. I remember reading about a disease that was wiping them out, but all the posts I've seen about that issue are pretty old. If I were to see a healthy elegance coral at the store, would it be safe to buy? I'm not sure if it's still a coral that I should avoid.

[flynix]

Buying any wild coral, including elegance corals, is essentially a gamble. You can't be certain of its origin, importation process, or potential diseases it may carry.

I still come across recent accounts of people's elegance corals doing fine, only to suddenly die without explanation. Some claim that only Aussie elegance corals are reliable, while Indo elegance corals are more problematic. However, I've also seen cases of people losing their Aussie elegance corals, and personally, I've had a thriving Indo elegance coral that's tripled or quadrupled in size over the past 2-3 years.

When selecting an elegance coral, a healthy specimen is crucial. Look for one with long, flowing tentacles and good coloration – not bleached out or white. It should also readily accept feedings of mysis or brine shrimp.

[hazelnut]

I recently picked up two elegance corals, one from Australia and the other from Indonesia, and they're both doing great in my tank so far. The Aussie one was a bit bleached when I first got it, but it's since recovered fully. It's only been two months, so I'm not getting ahead of myself, but it's definitely a positive start.

[jolt9]

I'm aware that buying any coral is a gamble, but I was wondering if the odds have improved for elegance corals specifically. I recall that in the past, they were extremely difficult to keep alive for more than a couple of years. Has the disease that plagued them been eradicated or brought under control? I vaguely remember that the disease could remain dormant for an extended period, sometimes up to six months or more, before manifesting. Given the past dismal success rate with elegance corals, I'm hesitant to take the plunge. However, if the situation has improved, I'd be more willing to consider purchasing a healthy specimen.

[flynix]

I took the plunge and I'd say it's worth it. The major issue now seems to be bacterial infections - they can get them, and it's a real challenge. If it happens, you'll likely need to remove the coral from the main tank and treat it with an antibiotic to help it recover. This is similar to what can happen to some carpet anemones, I believe.

[jolt9]

Sounds like the infection risk has decreased significantly, making it a more viable option to consider purchasing an elegance coral now.

[flynix]

I'd say it's not as major of an issue as it used to be.

[stardog]

I've had my elegance coral for over two years now and it's been doing great, I've never had any issues with it.

[jolt9]

I recently came across a really nice elegance coral, but I decided not to buy it due to the concerns I had about their health. If I see another one in the future, I wanted to know if it's worth taking the chance, and I appreciate the feedback from everyone.