What WYSIWYG Means and How to Buy Corals Online
Buying corals online means trusting a photo. Knowing what WYSIWYG means, and how coral photos are taken, helps you get exactly the coral you expect.
What WYSIWYG means
WYSIWYG stands for "What You See Is What You Get." The coral in the photo is the exact coral that ships to you. You choose a specific piece, not a random frag from a batch.
Browse every WYSIWYG piece in our All WYSIWYG collection.
What "Almost WYSIWYG" means
An Almost WYSIWYG listing shows a coral that represents what you'll receive, typically a piece from the same colony as the one pictured. Size and shape can vary slightly, but the color and morph match. These listings are often a better value when you want the morph more than one exact piece.
Browse our Almost WYSIWYG collection.
Why corals look different in photos
Most coral photos are taken under blue-heavy reef lighting, which makes fluorescent colors pop. Under whiter light, or in your own tank, the same coral can look different. Color also shifts as a coral adjusts to new lighting over its first few weeks.
A clip-on coral lens for your phone filters out the blue cast so you can see your corals' true colors in your own tank.
Tips for buying corals online
- Check the size. Look for polyp counts or measurements in the listing.
- Read the care needs. Make sure the light and flow the coral needs match your tank.
- Plan for arrival. Be home on delivery day so you can acclimate right away.
- Dip every new coral. Follow our Coral Acclimation & Dipping Guide.
- Know the arrival policy. Read our Arrive Alive & DOA Policy before you order.