If you’re new to buying corals online, you’ll keep seeing “WYSIWYG”, named corals like “Holy Grail” or “Dragon Soul”, and big price differences between corals that look similar. Here’s what it all means.
What does WYSIWYG mean?
WYSIWYG stands for “What You See Is What You Get”. A WYSIWYG listing shows the exact coral you’ll receive. If you buy number 3, you get the piece in photo number 3.
It matters most for:
- corals where every piece looks different, like Micromussa (“Acans” or “Lords”), Bowerbanki and Lobophyllia
- higher-value pieces, where you want to see exactly what you’re paying for
- collectors who want a particular pattern or colour
What does “representative photo” mean?
When a listing isn’t WYSIWYG, the photo shows the type of coral, often the colony the frags are cut from, rather than the exact frag you’ll get. Your frag will be the same coral, but smaller, and the colour and shape can vary a little. At ReefGro, where a listing shows a colony photo, your frag is cut from that exact colony.
Representative photos are normal for corals that look much the same from frag to frag, like most Montipora, hammers and chalices.
How we do it at ReefGro
- WYSIWYG listings say WYSIWYG in the name, and each piece is numbered with its own photo, like our Australian Rainbow Micromussa.
- Everything else uses representative photos, so if a listing doesn’t say WYSIWYG, the photo shows the coral type, not your exact frag.
- All our product photos are of our own corals, never stock images or AI-generated pictures.
Why do corals look different at home?
Lighting changes how corals look, a lot. Many shops (including us) photograph corals under blue light, because that’s how most reef tanks are lit and it shows the fluorescent colours. Under whiter light, the same coral can look duller or a different shade. Corals also shift colour slightly as they adjust to your lighting and water over the first few weeks.
What are collector or designer corals?
These are named colour forms, like the Holy Grail Torch, Dragon Soul Torch, Avatar Chalice or Strawberry Shortcake Acropora. Names usually come from whoever first grew or sold that particular colour.
A few things to know:
- The name isn’t a species. A Holy Grail Torch is still Euphyllia glabrescens. The name describes its colour.
- Names aren’t regulated. Two shops can use the same name for slightly different corals, so always look at the photo, not just the name.
- Lineage matters to collectors. Some buyers want a frag cut from a known parent colony, so they know what it will grow into.
Why do some corals cost more?
- Growth speed. Slow growers like torches take longer to produce a frag, so they cost more.
- Rarity. Some colours are in short supply. Some Australian corals are now hard to get in the UK.
- Size and number of heads. A 3-head frag is worth more than a 1-head frag of the same coral.
- WYSIWYG. You’re choosing an exact, often standout, piece.
A higher price doesn’t make a coral harder to keep. A Holy Grail Torch has the same care needs as any other torch.
Tips for buying collector corals
- Compare the photo, not the name.
- Check the head count or size.
- Ask what light the photo was taken under.
- Buy aquacultured where you can. It’s better for wild reefs and the corals usually settle better.
- Check the seller’s live arrival guarantee before you buy. At ReefGro, WYSIWYG pieces are one of a kind, so they can’t be replaced like for like. If one arrives dead, we’ll refund it in full, or offer a similar piece if you’d prefer.
More tips in our guide to buying corals online safely.
FAQs
Is WYSIWYG always more expensive? Usually a little, because each piece is photographed and listed separately, and they’re often bigger or standout pieces.
Will a representative-photo frag look like the photo? It’ll be the same coral, but smaller, and it may look slightly different under your lighting.