Short Answer
- Ask for normal-light and reduced-blue photos before buying a coral frag online.
- Check tissue edge, polyp extension, pests, recession, fresh cuts, algae, and plug condition.
- Verify care fit before name fit: light, flow, aggression, feeding, and tank maturity matter.
- Record sold-as name, likely ID, seller, date, and confidence level immediately after purchase.
What to check before buying
Frag photos are often optimized for color, not identification. A strong buying decision needs more than fluorescence: you need structure, health, and care fit.
The most useful seller is one who can provide a reduced-blue photo, lineage context when relevant, and a clear answer about how long the frag has been healed.
Coral frag buying checklist
| Check | Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue edge | Smooth, attached, no fresh recession. | Exposed skeleton, peeling, or melting tissue. |
| Photo quality | Normal and reduced-blue images. | Only saturated actinic macro. |
| Healing | Frag has been stable for days or weeks. | Fresh cut sold immediately without context. |
| Care fit | Matches your tank light, flow, and maturity. | Requires conditions your tank cannot provide. |
Questions to ask the seller
- How long has the frag been cut and healed?
- Can you send a reduced-blue or daylight photo?
- What light and flow is it currently under?
- Is the name lineage-backed or just a store label?
- Has the coral been dipped, inspected, or quarantined?
Walk-away signs before buying
- Fresh white skeleton at the cut edge with no healed tissue.
- Algae growing into the living edge of the coral.
- A seller who cannot provide a normal-light photo for a high-priced color morph.
- A name that depends entirely on hype while the coral's care group is still unclear.
- Visible pests, eggs, or plug damage that the seller cannot explain.
Where AI helps before buying
AI can help you check whether the sold-as label is plausible from the photo. It can also flag lookalikes and suggest what to inspect next.
Do not use AI to override health concerns. A correct ID does not make a damaged frag a good purchase.
Try Coral Identifier on your own tank photos
Capture a clear photo, review likely matches, and build better coral ID confidence over time.
Identify on the App StoreSources
References and further reading
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
01How can I identify a coral frag before buying?+
Ask for clear normal-light and reduced-blue photos, compare structure rather than color, and verify whether the sold-as label matches visible traits.
02What are warning signs on a coral frag?+
Watch for tissue recession, exposed skeleton, melting, algae-covered tissue, pest eggs, fresh cuts, and failure to open.
03Should I buy a coral if the ID is uncertain?+
Only if the broad group and care needs fit your tank. Do not pay rare-name prices for uncertain evidence.
04Can AI check a coral listing photo?+
AI can give a likely match or flag lookalikes, but it cannot verify lineage or guarantee health from one photo.