The Value of Coral
Coral can be sold for profit. Beginner corals cost $40. More exotic corals sell for over $300. Excellent antique coral has sold for up to $100,000.
Coral Growth and Conservation
To grow coral commercially, suitable tanks and good propagation techniques are needed. Corals grow slowly, from 0.3 to 10 cm yearly. So a reef takes 10,000 to 30 million years to fully form. High quality red coral is worth over $1000 per gram.
Legalities and Environmental Considerations
Soft corals are generally not protected species; however, to import live soft corals into the United States, you must complete Form 3-177, Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife. The illegal removal of coral is a major environmental issue, resulting in significant financial loss to surrounding economies and the destruction of environments. Banned lotions that harm corals include those containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, or butylparaben.
Commercial Coral Sales
Adding live corals is an optional expense; the most ecologically responsible options are grown in captivity and sold from a farm. Beginner corals cost $40, while packs for more expert tank owners cost an average of $180.
How much does coral sell for? High quality red coral is worth over $1000 per gram.
We sell rare, and exotic corals including Torch corals, Mushroom corals, Acropora corals, and more. Packs for expert tank owners cost an average of $180.
Coral farms generate revenue from sales to wholesalers, retailers, and clients. Prices vary by species, with average retail prices ranging from $30 to $50. Some rare corals sell for hundreds or thousands, but wholesale prices are less.
GBR tourism employs 64,000 people and contributes $5.2 billion annually to the Australian economy.