Coral color for aquarium specimens

[BobFenner at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/8/00 1:11:22 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Eric Hugo writes:

<< Subj:    Re: Coral color for aquarium specimens
 Date:  9/8/00 1:11:22 PM Pacific Daylight Time
 From:  Eric Hugo
 To:    Bob Fenner, S96007966 at student.usp.ac.fj

 Hi Bob and Ron:

 I have too many references on coral coloration to know where to start.  One 
of the first questions I must ask is the actual color group you are looking 
at.  The animal biochromes, the fluorescing proteins, and the pigmentation of 
the zooxanthellae are three very distinct groups all with their own factors.  
I would need to know this aspect and more about the study  - i.e. a more 
concise version of the hypthesis and null hypothesis to be able to narrow it 
down to a reeasonable request

 I would also add that asking people like Walt, Noel, Dick, etc is asking for 
completely anecdotal advice, as are the comments on iodine, alkalinity, 
protein skimming etc.  Water quality and lighting will likely have an effect 
on the phtosoynthetic pigmentation in a number of ways, and food certainly 
for the azooxanthellate species in terms of pigments present and ability to 
be biosynthesized (if at all).  Lighting will also affect those corals 
possessing the pigments pocilloporin and related compounds.  May also have to 
do with at least the GFP group, although possibly not the other fluorescing 
protein groups.  Too new a field (Matz, et al 1999).  Almost all observations 
coming from the aquarium populace are not worthy of serious consideration in 
an academic paper except in simple "by the way" comments.  

 Let me know what the scope and needs are and I will send you some references 
to get you going.

 Eric Borneman >>

Ah, good to see/hear you out there... Now, where in tarnation is that book of 
yours!?
    Do disagree with your overall apparent disdain of "contacts" in the trade 
and hobby... In reviewing such requests for assistance, I suspect people are 
looking for "help" in a more general sense... as in contacts for specimens, 
even pragmatic matters like "how to gather, transport, keep alive 
specimens..." As such, industry types are invaluable... as they have indeed, 
been there, done that.
Bob Fenner