• The frag must be kept alive and grown by the participant for the full contest period.
• You may mount the frag to your preferred plug/rock, but:
  • You may not intentionally break, split, or “frag” it to create advantage.
  • Accidental breakage happens — see the “Damage/Breakage” section below.
• No swapping to a different colony or “replacement” coral unless CF approves it (rare).

5) Monthly Photo Check-ins (Required)

Frequency

• One photo per month is required to remain eligible.
• Check-ins will be due within the monthly window announced in the contest thread.

Photo Requirements

To keep judging fair, each check-in photo must:

• Be a clear photo of your specific contest frag
• Include a size reference (ruler/measuring tape, or a consistent known object)
• Include at least one of the following angles (recommended to post both when possible):
  • Top-down (best for plating/encrusting size)
  • Side/angled (best for structure and edge growth)
• Be minimally edited:
  • Allowed: crop, slight exposure correction, white balance tweak
  • Not allowed: filters that significantly alter color/saturation, AI “enhancement,” heavy color shifts

Optional (but encouraged)

• Share your lighting/flow notes (PAR estimate, light schedule, placement). This is a growout — learning is part of it.

Submission Location

• All check-in photos must be posted in the official contest thread (Facebook/Discord/etc. as designated by CF).
• Missing a month may result in disqualification unless you communicate ahead of time.

6) Final Submission (Required)

At the end of 12 months:

• Participants must submit a final photo during the final submission window.
• CF may request 1–2 additional angles if the top entries are close.

7) Judging & Voting

How winners are chosen

• Winners are selected by community vote based on:
  1. Size/Growth (overall mass, plating/encrusting spread, structure)
  2. Color (healthy coloration under the participant’s system)
  3. Overall Health (tissue health, clean growth edge, no obvious decline)

Tie-breakers

If there is a tie or dispute:

• CF may request updated photos with a clearer measurement reference.
• CF reserves the right to act as final tie-breaker to keep things fair.

8) Damage, Breakage, or Loss

• Accidents happen. If the frag breaks:
  • You may continue with the largest remaining piece as your primary entry.
  • You must disclose the incident in the next check-in.
• If the frag is completely lost (tank crash, etc.):
  • Participant is out of the contest (no refunds), but still welcome to follow along.

9) Disqualification

You may be disqualified for:

• Missing required monthly check-ins repeatedly without communication
• Submitting photos of a different coral or swapping entries
• Intentional fragging/splitting to gain advantage
• Excessive editing that misrepresents size or color

10) Prize

• 1st Place: $300 Coralicious Frags Gift Certificate
• Prize is non-transferable unless CF approves.

11) Media & Event Participation

• By entering, you agree CF may repost contest photos (credit will be given when possible).
• Contest runs on good sportsmanship — keep it fun and supportive.

12) Organizer Notes

CF reserves the right to:

• Adjust deadlines/windows to accommodate events/holidays
• Clarify rules if needed to maintain fairness
• Cancel the contest only in extreme circumstances (entries/prizes handled fairly if that occurs)

Let’s grow something classic. 🪸🔥