TM

Auctioned Edition
Jesus Echinata
Acropora echinata
Reeffarmers Seed Fragment imaged on June 8th 2006.
Image taken just a few days before the First Edition fragment was harvested.
The encrusting growth has continued to expand for 6 months.
No significant growth has occurred in the original branch section.
Image Copyright © 2006 by Reeffarmers All Rights Reserved.
The Jesus Echinata is normally a dark purple colored coral that has a bottle brush or echinata-type growth form. This species morph also contains some very exotic thick lipped corallites and its branches are thicker and more stunted then normal echinata species. In our Reeffarmers system the coral has develped a brilliant blue pigment on top of the purple. The blue appears to develop in new growth areas and in areas of the seed colony that are exposed to strong light levels. This amazing Acropora echinata-like coral was first acquired by Jesus of the Central Valley area of California. Reeffarmers first saw the parent colony in February of 2005. Jesus was kind enough to trade a fragment of the coral to Reeffarmers. The Jesus echinata appears similar to an Echinata bottle brush coral, but it has unique thick lipped corallites that are short and more squat then the typical elongated corallites found within the bottle brush coral. The species ID at this point in time is just a rough approximation of the general growth type the coral exhibits. Reeffarmers has found that this is a very slow growing coral. Jesus also has determined that this coral is a very slow grower. Jesus still has the original colony and it is alive and well. The Reeffarmers seed fragment was acquired in February of 2005. While in our captive systems the coral has only grown in its basal area. There has been no significant growth in the vertical branches. We do not know what has stimulated encrusting basal growth before vertical branch growth. Steve Tyree is maintaining a seed farming section of the Jesus Echinata coral for Reeffarmers.com in one of his 125 gallon naturally filtered Tri-Zonal Reef Aquarium. In Steve's captive reef the coral is positoned to recieve strong light under a 400 watt 20,000 K Radium Metal Halide. The curent opening bid price for this coral is $90.00 . This is primarily due to its slow growth rate and its very limited distribution to date.
Reeffarmers Seed Fragment imaged on December 14th 2005. Ten months after we recieved this seed fragment The coral starts to grow by expanding its basal encrustation. No growth occurs in the vertical branch section.
Image Copyright © 2005 by Reeffarmers All Rights Reserved.
Reeffarmers Seed Fragment imaged on January 13th 2006. Encrusting base growth has continued for a month.
Image Copyright © 2006 by Reeffarmers All Rights Reserved.
Reeffarmers Seed Fragment imaged on March 7th 2006. Encrusting base growth has continued for another 2 months. No growth occurs in the vertical branching area.
Image Copyright © 2006 by Reeffarmers All Rights Reserved.
Jesus Original Parent colony imaged on February 4th 2006. Image taken through the front glass. Note the original coral was more purple then blue. The images of Reeffarmers Seed coral are taken from above and through the water. Our seed coral has been under 20,000 K light for over a year. We believe that this coral develops more blue pigmentation on top of the purple when placed under stronger blue light. Note that Reeffarmers seed was harvested from the lower left branch of the parent colony.
Image Copyright © 2005 by Reeffarmers All Rights Reserved.
Jesus Echinata Acropora echinata Year 2008 Quad Monthly Auctioned Edition Schedule

September
Auction
 Third Edition Auction at 2008 DA-CFM
December
Auction
 Fourth Edition Auction through CFM Auction running in December

Jesus Echinata Acropora echinata Year 2006 Quad Monthly Auctioned Edition Schedule

July
Auction
 First Edition Auctioned at 2006 Bay Area Coral Farmers Market June 25th
December
Auction
 Second Edition Auctioned for $80.00 through CFM Auctions

To inquire about the auctioning of this farmed fragment please send an email to reeffarmersauctions@aceweb.com.
Copyright © 2006 by ReefFarmers All Rights Reserved.
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