Rare deepwater Japanese Anthias

[coralfriends]

Recently, I find two rare deep water Japanese Anthias inside aquarium. This fish is collected in deep water area(more than 80 meters) of northern Japan Sea. Do you believe it? This fish is collected in winter time and has to be depressure in special container. The length of this two anthias is about 9 inches.It is being kept for 9 month in the home of rare fish collector. According to the informations from the collector, juvenile fish is not so attractive as the adult fish. They only aim at adult anthias. They can not keep them if they are collected in summer time. Therefore, they only catch those fish in winter time. The temperature inside the aquarium is 20-22 degree Celcius. If they are kept in a tank above 22 degree Celcius, those anthias will refuse to eat. The name of this anthias(blotch anthias?) and the detail informations of this fish can be found in Scott Michael's Reef Fish vol 1. The live speciment is the very first time that I met inside the aquarium. Therefore, I want to share the picture with you
You can also see the picture of them inside my homepage.
http://www.lindacws.com/hung/index3.html
Please click the rare and unusual icon to see them.

 

[berkeleyfishboi]

those are some cool pictures!

thanks for posting them!

 

[reefNewbie]

arent those Serranocirrhitus latus?

 

[Len]

Nope, that's a Holanthias borbonius. It's one gorgeous fish in person, much larger then most other genus of anthias (as are all Holanthias). This guy isn't even a developed male with streamers. Any one here would be lucky to ever get to see a Holanthias in captivity , since they reside in very deep water. This is one of the most gaudy genus I know. Thanks for sharing! FWIW, these guys are well in the 4 figure range

 

[coralfriends]

More photo to share

 

[coralfriends]

I also find a very special fish inside the aquarium. Could anyone tell me what is the name of this fish? Is it a highfin Perchlets?

 

[O P Ing]

hi.
I just wonder why people in HK/Singapore/Japan/Austr. always seem to able to get these rare fishes? We in the States can't really get as good selection, even if we (exclude myself) have the money...

Well, compare to our friends in Europe, I guess we are slightly better off.

 

[Len]

Plectranthias inermis perhaps? These guys never show up in the US market, so I really can't say for sure.

 

[Len]

hi.
I just wonder why people in HK/Singapore/Japan/Austr. always seem to able to get these rare fishes? We in the States can't really get as good selection, even if we (exclude myself) have the money...

It's just that. There are more people in Asian (particularly Japan) who are willing to pay premiums for rare fish. Collectors are keenly aware they can sell the same fish to Japan for more money, and so they do. It's also a bit of logistics as well. Japanese fish are easier to get into Japan then they are to ship to the US or Europe

 

[sedgro]

Len-

Have you ever seen the Holanthias fuscipinnis that comes out of Hawaii? My LFS had one once and I saw one in a store in Honolulu that I could have gotten for $600 (was having swim bladder problems though). Blows the borbonis away IMO - but I guess I have never seen a live H. borbonis.

BTW - just got back from a fantastic trip to the Cook Islands and visited Chip Boyle (aka Centropyge boylei the peppermint angel) while I was there. He collects the all purple N. helfrichi that show up in Japan. Has to use a rebreather to do it as they live at 150+ meters depth. While I was there he went down and collected 10 for an order and spent 3 1/2 hours at 150-200 meters doing it! He sends them to Japan because the Japanese wholesalers are the ones who are willing to pay the cost and place the volume orders necessary for these fish.

sedgro

 

[Len]

Yup, I've seen fuscipinnis in person several times, and they are definitely gorgeous. $600 is a great price for this species (swim bladder problem withstanding). That is an awesome specimen you have pictured.

The photos of the (female?) borbonius here, however, don't do it justice. It is really one incredible looking fish in person, akin to a fuscipinnis with pokadots. Both these speices are incredible.

Very cool you met Boyle. Rebreathers! I can't believe Pyle used to dive down 300+ ft with regular scuba. Now that's commitment for ya. Oh, I had one of those purple helfrichis 4 years ago. It's much larger then the classic helfrichis, and I really dont' like them as much aesthetically speaking. But they are definitely cool.

Len

 

[GSchiemer]

The length of this two anthias is about 9 inches.

Are you saying that each fish is 9 inches in length or the two added together equal 9 inches? IOW, each one is 4.5 inches.

Greg

 

[NKT]

I think he meant 9 inches. Fishbase lists the H. borbonius as growing up to 15cm, so 9 inches isn't out of the question.

 

[pathos]

hey coralfriends - very cool pics! I have never seen that species before. Nice website too.

pathos

 

[GSchiemer]

I think he meant 9 inches. Fishbase lists the H. borbonius as growing up to 15cm, so 9 inches isn't out of the question.

15 cm = 6 inches MAX, so 9 inches would appear to be out of the question.

Greg

 

[coralfriends]

Hi Greg,
Firstly, I have to apologized about my poor English gramma. Those anthais is really about 9 inches in length. It measure from the tip of the mouth to the end of the tail fin. The height of the fish is about 5 inches? From the information of the supplier, there are more even bigger size. Some of them even can attain a length of 12 inches to 14 inches. I am not sure that this information is correct or not. The aquarium owner tell me that he prefer to import 9 inches fish. If the size of those fish is too large, it is much more difficult to sell them.
Lastly, I have to tell you that I have learn many things about fishkeeping from your past articles in magazine. I am one of your fans.

 

[GSchiemer]

Hi Greg,
Firstly, I have to apologized about my poor English gramma. Those anthais is really about 9 inches in length. It measure from the tip of the mouth to the end of the tail fin. The height of the fish is about 5 inches? From the information of the supplier, there are more even bigger size. Some of them even can attain a length of 12 inches to 14 inches. I am not sure that this information is correct or not. The aquarium owner tell me that he prefer to import 9 inches fish. If the size of those fish is too large, it is much more difficult to sell them.
Lastly, I have to tell you that I have learn many things about fishkeeping from your past articles in magazine. I am one of your fans.

Your English is okay. No need to apologize.

9 inches in length is incredible! Do you know if they do well in captivity? Do you own one? I'm not sure I could have resisted buying one if I had the opportunity

And thanks for the kind words.

Greg Schiemer

 

[coralfriends]

I also want to own one of those fish. The price is very expansive and it is out of my budget. The price is around US$1300 each. I think that I have to set up a special tank for them first before I take them to my home. Dim lightling? Temp around 20-22 degree C? A huge deep tank with sufficient rock work to make a cave for each of them? Ample current? Most important of all is a established balance tank.
Those fish is already sold to a rich guy(According to the word of the aquarium keeper). I am very curious that he can keep those fish in captivity or not? It is a great loss of such a rare speciement. The knowledge of fishkeeping and the knowledge about those fish is very limiting in Hong Kong people(majority). I will report to you if there are updated informations about this kind of anthias in future.

 

[Leopardshark]

Hey great fish!!!, thanks for sharing.
Does anyone else has some rare fish pics to share??
Thanks
Marco

 

[94MR2]

beautiful fish! thanks for sharing those pictures