Mother Colonies From The Deep

**MUCHO REEF** · 08-22-2011, 02:28 PM

Just for you Jarred1, and everyone else of course.

Below you'll find a running collection of parent/mother colonies of zoanthids and palythoas which are 4" x 4" or larger which I will add to daily. These large rocks are brought up from the ocean weekly and are truly stunning to look at. They are commonly collected at this size and many times even larger as well as some smaller. Divers have to take what they can when they can of course. Some of these pictures are from strict captive care and others were collected at the actual sizes shown. These sizes are very very common and nothing extraordinary by any means. All the kudos should go to those who collected and propagated them. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do.

If you have, own, seen etc. any mother/parent colonies 4" x 4" or larger and would like to add them to this thread, please feel free to do so.

I respectfully ask that this thread does not morph into a discussion of ID's and names. I want to leave that discussion out of this thread. Lets just post and enjoy the colonies as they are, stunning. Thanks.

MUCHO REEF

Melev2 - Mother Colonies From The Deep

Photo by Melev

Melev 1 - Mother Colonies From The Deep

Photo by Melev

Landon - Mother Colonies From The Deep

Photo by Landon

**larryandlaura** · 08-22-2011, 02:32 PM

Wow those are awesome rocks.

**MUCHO REEF** · 08-23-2011, 03:03 AM

Glad you like them, there's more to come each day. Would love to see yours and others. Thanks.

mixedrock - Mother Colonies From The Deep

Photo by MUCHO REEF

35092621 - Mother Colonies From The Deep

Photo by Celso Suguimoto

Below is a monster size mother colony

blue zoa colony - Mother Colonies From The Deep

Photo by Phixion

**Jarred1** · 08-23-2011, 04:38 AM

Wow, those are awesome!

**MUCHO REEF** · 08-23-2011, 09:33 PM

A stunning Frankentien colony.

orangesgreensmix - Mother Colonies From The Deep

Can't remember where I found this online, but I will hunt down the owner and give him credit.

archie - Mother Colonies From The Deep

Photo by Archie whose tank is loaded with gorgeous mother colonies he allowed to grow untouched

**Sir Patrick** · 08-23-2011, 10:04 PM

I have some to add soon!

**jimsflies** · 08-23-2011, 11:58 PM

Makes me want to get out the frag saw! JK

Great thread Mucho!

**MUCHO REEF** · 08-24-2011, 09:34 AM

The next series of pictures are from my buddy Geoxman's stunning reef tank. In my opinion the most beautiful display of a reef tank which incorporates numerous zoa/paly mother colonies which he allowed to proliferate untouched and unfragged for many years. The top down tank affords direct viewing as if you were leaning over a boat wearing goggles with your face in the water.

geo1 - Mother Colonies From The Deep