CORAL Bonus: Expanded CORAL Visions March/April 2017

A relatively new addition to the regular lineup of CORAL Magazine print edition content, VISIONS represents specimens spotted in the current trade and is a snapshot of the truly extraordinary diversity of aquarium corals available to contemporary reefkeepers. Each installment features roughly 10 to 12 of the “best of the best,” provided by magazine partners who often submit dozens of additional candidates for consideration every two months.  Competition, to say the least, is strong to have a coral chosen to be part of the growing portfolio of VISIONS images.

Of course, individual tastes also play a role; editors’ selections are whittled down through multiple rounds. At times, a strong contender may be knocked out, including many awesome corals that most of us would be thrilled to encounter at our local aquarium shop or a frag event.

What becomes of the dozens of stunning corals that don’t make it onto the printed page? Herewith, have a look at some exceptional coral morphs and cultivars that did not make it into the current issue, but that we believe worthy of a second look.

For the sumptuous print edition of VISIONS, look for a copy of CORAL Magazine at your LFS and see the corals that beat out the ones below. Comments or suggestions to our editors may be posted below. 

—Matt Pedersen

QM NO JOKE SYMPHYLLIA
Symphyllia sp.
Quality Marine
Los Angeles, California
qualitymarine.com
Geographic Origin: Indonesia
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Low to Moderate; gentle, indirect, turbulent
Care Level: Easy
Notes: Feed well, these will take surprisingly large meaty meals like krill at least weekly. The less light they have, the more food they need. Acclimate them to high light scenarios very gradually, and be wary of any contact with the fleshy mantle of the coral.
Photo Credit: Eli Fleishauer for Quality Marine

MICROMUSSA LORDHOWENSIS
Carolina Aquatics
Kernersville, North Carolina
carolinaaquatics.com
Geographic Origin: Australia
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Low to Moderate
Care Level: Easy
Photo Credit: Josh Davis

RAINBOW ACAN LORD
Micromussa lordhowensis
A & M Aquatics
Lansing, Michigan
amaquatics.com
Geographic Origin: Australia
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Moderate
Care Level: Easy
Notes: This coral loves to be fed mysis shrimp
Photo Credit: Brian Dowling

MICROMUSSA SP.
World Wide Corals
Orlando, Florida
worldwidecorals.com
Geographic Origin: Australia and Indonesia
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Moderate
Care Level: Easy

CAPTIVATING CYNARIAS

There must be something in the water right now, because we had not one, but four different submissions of beautiful Cynaria corals. All were worthy contendors, but only one made it into our print edition. You’ll have to log in, subscribe, or pick up a copy at your favorite LFS to find out which coral was crowned champion in this four-way faceoff.

OMG CYNARIA, MODERN CORAL
Cynarina lacrymalis
A & M Aquatics
Lansing, Michigan
amaquatics.com
Geographic Origin: Bali
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Moderate
Care Level: Intermediate
Notes: This coral loves to be fed chunks of krill
Photo Credit: Brian Dowling

AML RED CYNARIA
Cynarina lacrymalis
Aqua Medic Live
Loveland, Colorado
aquamedicusa.com
Geographic Origin: Indonesia
Light Level: Moderate
Flow Level: Low
Care Level: Intermediate
Photo Credit: Chad Wohlers

RED CYNARINA
Cynarina lacrymalis
World Wide Corals
Orlando, Florida
worldwidecorals.com
Geographic Origin: Indonesia
Light Level: Low
Flow Level: Low
Care Level: Intermediate

RED CYNARINA
Cynarina lacrymalis
Unique Corals
Van Nuys, California
uniquecorals.com
Geographic Origin: Indonesia
Light Level: Low to Moderate
Flow Level: Low
Care Level: Intermediate

ASTONISHING ACROS

Stunning Acropora filled the submissions this time around; here’s a couple that really needed to be seen!

JF GRAPE JUICE ACRO & JF GREEN STAG
Acropora sp.
Jason Fox Signature Corals
Baltimore, Maryland
jasonfoxsignaturecorals.com
Geographic Origin: Indonesia
Light Level: High
Flow Level: High
Care Level: Intermediate
Photo Credit: Christopher Jason Studios

WWC AFTERPARTY ACROPORA
Acropora sp.
World Wide Corals
Orlando, Florida
worldwidecorals.com
Geographic Origin: Indonesia
Light Level: Moderate
Flow Level: High
Care Level: Advanced