Dyed Coral?

[Anonymous]

This may sound a bit wierd, but has anyone heard of the practice of dyeing corals? I saw some very bright yellow leather coral at the LFS just now that is so yellow that it hardly looks natural. The LFS guys said that the supplier swears that it hasnt been dyed... but I have never even heard of that happening. (Not that that says much as I am new to the hobby)

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, it happens. Anemones and soft corals are the common victims.

I've seen a few recently here in Taiwan: a very yellow anemone and a bright violet colt.

Needless to say: don't buy these. They probably won't live long.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks JH, is there any way to tell if they have been dyed.... I cant imagine why anyone would knowingly buy one 8O

 

[Anonymous]

I know, crazy, isn't it?

I'm not sure if there's anyway to tell for sure, but usually it's just obvious. You kind of just base it on similar corals you've seen before.

And the coloration is usually so bright that, like you said, it just looks unnatural.

It's odd that you've seen some recently, and I have too. I haven't seen any like these for two years. I asked the LFS guy here and he explained that they're dyed soon after they're collected. The 2 I saw were from Indonesia.

 

[Anonymous]

Here's a short article with pictures:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dyedcorals.htm

 

[Anonymous]

The LFS guy swears that they are natural- and it was him that bought the dyeing thing to my attention... I'll get the scientific name from them and see if they come in such bright colours.... wierd stuff, these prolly came from Kenya originally btw although I know they do get some stock from Singapore...

 

[pwj1286]

the strange yellows, magentas, and purples are the ones to watch out for.
_________________
Honda Z50A

 

[Anonymous]

>...The LFS guy swears that they are natural-...

How do they know? From reputation of the supplier?

See if they can give you a UV-vis spectragram and match that with a natural coral pigmentation without any peak related to manmade dyes.

 

[Anonymous]

BTW, sorry for the "helpful" comments

 

[Anonymous]

BTW, sorry for the "helpful" comments

the only thing I understood was the part where you said "See if they..."

 

[Anonymous]

I just got a bit carried away when I heard people swear that something is 100% natural... Now, those eyes of yours, are they photoshopped? :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Nope, no contacts either dear one.

 

[Kevin207]

Anemones and soft corals are the common victims. I've seen a few recently here in Taiwan: a very yellow anemone and a bright violet colt.

Can you hear the drums...???
"Calling Fernando, come in Fernando...over..."

There was something in the colt that night
The dyes were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
In anemones, Fernando

:roll: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

"There was something in the colt that night
The dyes were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
In anemones, Fernando "
:lol: :lol: :lol:

FOLLOWUP: That coral is almost certainly dyed, I will try and get a pic and post it, but the colour is so unnatural its obscene. All credit to the LFS (surprisingly) who took it to the Oceanographic Research Insitute here and had it 'visualed'. They have laid into the supplier (while I was there!) and hopefully we wont see this type of thing again. Thanks for all the help everyone, and the interesting article JohnHenry. .... It makes you wonder where the market for this type of stuff is coz no-one I know here would knowingly buy it...

 

[Anonymous]

All credit to the LFS (surprisingly) who took it to the Oceanographic Research Insitute here and had it 'visualed'. They have laid into the supplier (while I was there!) and hopefully we wont see this type of thing again.

Wow, nice work. And good job on part of the LFS.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "the colour is so unnatural its obscene."

I had read about this problem long before I actually saw it. Yet, when I first saw those two dyed corals, it was immediately obvious. They looked like candy more than coral.

But well done Andy, nice job getting the LFS to act.

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, all the credit belongs to the LFS, they were the first to even mention the possibility when i asked about the bright colour of the leather, and they were proactive in taking it further. Reasurring to me to see that they have some ethics... not like some of the $$$-grabbing horror stories I have read about with some LFS's.

 

[Anonymous]

Most LFS would just say that if you want it, pay for it, otherwise, go somewhere else.

You are lucky to have a store like that.

 

[Anonymous]

Definately interested in the pic. I have a yellow leather that is so bright it is amazing, but I know mine is not dyed because it is a cutting of a cutting of a..... etc.

 

[Mr_Ugly]

Here's one that people have been wondering about:
http://www.club-zoa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=676

 

[Anonymous]

Here's one that people have been wondering about:
http://www.club-zoa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=676

I think that one is dyed. The color is too uniform...