Unique/Rare Specimen Photo Thread
- Thread starter Len
- Start date
Here's a Paracheilinus bellae. It doesn't look all that different then other flashers like P.filamentotous, but this bugger is extremely rare. Endemic to Kwajalein Atoll, you're likely not see one in your lifetime 
I know of only 2 other pics of living specimens online. How's that for rare?
I know of only 2 other pics of living specimens online. How's that for rare? Attachments
Why would you hate to tell me that It's great if more people can see this fish. It's truly rare, being endemic to a single atoll in the Marshall Islands chain.
While it certainly is possible that the fish you saw was a P.bellae, I have strong doubts. Kwajalein atoll is a US military missle base (and supposed former chemical WMD site). Chances are, video was not shot there, and what you saw was another Paracheilinus from another ocean, most likely P.filmaentotous in the South Pacific. They look very similiar, and have a far broader occurance. In my 15 years in the hobby, I have seen only 6 total P.bellae offered (all came in at the same single shipment, mind you), and only 2 pictures of living specimens (including mine).
But hey, if I'm wrong, terrific
It's great if more people can see this fish. It's truly rare, being endemic to a single atoll in the Marshall Islands chain.While it certainly is possible that the fish you saw was a P.bellae, I have strong doubts. Kwajalein atoll is a US military missle base (and supposed former chemical WMD site). Chances are, video was not shot there, and what you saw was another Paracheilinus from another ocean, most likely P.filmaentotous in the South Pacific. They look very similiar, and have a far broader occurance. In my 15 years in the hobby, I have seen only 6 total P.bellae offered (all came in at the same single shipment, mind you), and only 2 pictures of living specimens (including mine).
But hey, if I'm wrong, terrific
Well, I spent the day yesterday with BobF and Co. "shopping", got to see quite a few rare and unusuals at Quality Marine and Sea Dwelling Creatures. Also got to meet Walt Smith and his new facility, I really like the setup, though I don't know how easy it would be for pack from a practical point of view. Unfortunately my camera is old and poor quality, but I did get two pics of the very first tank bred Centropyge interruptus. Rather unusual in the first place, very first tank breds ever. What's galling me right now is that I was SO stupid--only brought ONE DISK with me! We got to SDC and they had THREE! (Count 'em! 3) undescribed species of Cirrhilabus! By then my disk was full, and Bob got no pics of them, either. (Let's keep our fingers crossed, EricC. may be able to put me to work...L.A.....ugh...though I sure wouldn't mind gettin' to see Chris Burns's face on a daily basis.)
Anyway, I've never yet done the pic via attachment, let's see if I can get away with that or if I have to u/l to my ftp. :?
and Bob got no pics of them, either. (Let's keep our fingers crossed, EricC. may be able to put me to work...L.A.....ugh...though I sure wouldn't mind gettin' to see Chris Burns's face on a daily basis.)Anyway, I've never yet done the pic via attachment, let's see if I can get away with that or if I have to u/l to my ftp. :?
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