WYSIWYG stands for "what you see is what you get." At The Coral Boutique it applies to select items. It means the listing photo is our own piece, shot in house.
How it works
When a WYSIWYG listing shows one in stock, the photo is the exact piece you'll receive. When it shows more than one, ask us for a photo of yours.
Listings outside our WYSIWYG collection may use a representative photo of the species. If you want to pick the individual coral or fish yourself, start in the WYSIWYG collection. Pieces at $500 and up are in The Vault.
Why a piece can look different at home
A photo is one moment under one set of lights. A few things change how a piece looks once it's in your tank:
- Lighting and camera settings change how color reads. The same piece can look different under your lights, especially in a bluer tank.
- Close-up shots make scale hard to judge. Go by the size in the title when there is one, and ask us when there isn't.
- Torches and goniopora often stay retracted for days after shipping, sometimes longer. A piece photographed fully open may need time before it looks like its picture.
- Color can shift as a coral settles into new light and water. Fish often look paler for their first few days in a new tank.
Ask for a current photo
Like everything we sell, WYSIWYG pieces go through quarantine first. When we reach out to set your delivery day, you can ask for a current photo of your piece. Livestock ships Monday through Wednesday, and our Live Arrival Guarantee terms are in our refund policy.
If you're local, you can see it in person and skip shipping by picking up at our Design District showroom, 46 NW 36th St.
Common questions
Is every coral on your site WYSIWYG?
No. WYSIWYG applies to select items, collected in our WYSIWYG collection. Other listings may use a representative photo of the species.
What if a WYSIWYG listing has more than one in stock?
Ask us for a photo of the one you'll get.
Why does my coral look different from the photo?
Usually it's lighting and camera settings. Give it time to open and settle under your lights.
Can I see my piece before it ships?
Yes. Ask for a current photo when we contact you to set your delivery day.