Beautiful Specimen or Good Picture?

I believe it to be the same fish because the top fins (when erect) look like they match the DD photo. Its a nice fish, just not dark red. I am sure that it will look great once in my display tank.

All that is being said here is that several of the DD photos have looked really red to me lately. ScubaPrawn noticed it too and started this thread so its not just me.

FYI: To my knowledge there has only been one time that DD substituted a fish I ordered. They called me first to tell me that the fish I had ordered wasn't doing well and they offered me a substitute. I accepted and the sub'd fish turned out to be much nicer than the one I had ordered. I have always received great customer service from DD.
 
I would ask for my money back, and have them cover shipping.
It's doesn't matter if you're are using the flasher or not on your camera.....it looks like you got the wrong fish, or DD photoshop the pic. I would call them, and see what they say.
 
DD/LA/ F&S has the best customer service of any business on the planet. The idea of going through what they do for DD fish, plus the guarantee....the idea of photo-shopping a fish is ridiculous, IMO. Instead of just wondering and guessing, why not just call them? They'll bend over backwards to make things right. Anyone can make a mistake, its how they rectify it that matters. This statement is featured at the top of every DD fish list:

"Photo Lighting Note: To provide ideal color & lighting for these species, these are photographed from above, illuminated under 20K 400 Watt Metal Halide lighting. The coloration of the animal will vary under different intensities and Kelvin ratings of light bulbs. The species shown may look different under 10K Metal Halides, VHO, T5 or Power Compact Lights, and may take time to recover its color after shipping."
 
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Yep, I totally wouldnt suspect LA DD from enhancing their photos through the use of photo editing software. I think in the 38bill guys case he just got sent the wrong fish by mistake, but it's hard to say for sure.
 
Shooting pix under 20k is KINDA "pushing" the color a bit IMHO...all that blue does make certain colors "pop", but DD does tell you they use 20k.

However, DD does do a super job, but aren't infallible. We were definitely sent the wrong lionfish once (species was fine, but it wasn't the same specimen), and DD did indeed make it right. In fact, Kevin handled the correspondence personally.
 
Thanks to everybody for the kind words and confidence in LiveAquaria. We appreciate it! We do not "Photoshop" our images. We do use Photoshop to batch and apply the watermark, as well as "Auto Tone" the image - we would be unable to produce the amount of Diver's Den we do each day without a program like Photoshop. But we do not utilize it to alter the color of the fish or coral.

38bill - I inquired about this fish and was told, "All male Paracheilinus and male Cirrhilabrus will change coloration (and quickly albeit) when courting females, oftentimes drastically. Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus) have received this common name from their ability to flare their fins and change colorations quickly which is called flashing, and they can do so on and off with some incredible coloration when excited. The image of the P. lineopunctatus posted on the Divers Den was shot when the fish was “Flashing” and in full glory. " -- Which I'm sure you are aware of as it seems you are quite the wrasse aficionado!

I am very sorry you are disappointed in your purchase and glad to hear you are working with Customer Service as 100% Satisfaction is our goal. Hopefully your fish lives long and enhances your aquarium for years to come.
 
Mine goes from dark red and purple to that same light red with a white belly. Happened when a chocaolate tang was added about 2 weeks ago. Just starting to return to normal.

IMO, which means nothing, it could be the same fish.

Knowing it came from DD, I'd be confident it's the same fish.

Unfortunately, it'll probably be red and white most of the time rather than purple and dark red. Is that a little false advertising? maybe. To a newbie. An experienced wrasse keeper may have expected this.
 
readmeli said:
Thanks to everybody for the kind words and confidence in LiveAquaria. We appreciate it! We do not "Photoshop" our images. We do use Photoshop to batch and apply the watermark, as well as "Auto Tone" the image - we would be unable to produce the amount of Diver's Den we do each day without a program like Photoshop. But we do not utilize it to alter the color of the fish or coral.

38bill - I inquired about this fish and was told, "All male Paracheilinus and male Cirrhilabrus will change coloration (and quickly albeit) when courting females, oftentimes drastically. Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus) have received this common name from their ability to flare their fins and change colorations quickly which is called flashing, and they can do so on and off with some incredible coloration when excited. The image of the P. lineopunctatus posted on the Divers Den was shot when the fish was "œFlashing" and in full glory. " -- Which I'm sure you are aware of as it seems you are quite the wrasse aficionado!

I am very sorry you are disappointed in your purchase and glad to hear you are working with Customer Service as 100% Satisfaction is our goal. Hopefully your fish lives long and enhances your aquarium for years to come.
Click to expand...

I never said or implied that DD Photoshopped the photo or that I was disappointed with my purchase from DD. All I did was agree that some of the photos looked too red. I suspected that my wrasse would not be that dark red from the start but I ordered it anyway. I have not and do not plan to contact DD because I dont really have a problem with the fish. Dont worry, be happy!
 
38bill - Thanks, I didnt mean to imply you did say that we PS photos, there were some suggestions of it in this thread is all. :-) We always want to best for our fish, and our customers, and are very happy that our fish have made it into a home such as yours.

.... now I have that song in my head.... dooo dooo dooo doooooo....
 
The posts from DD show why I think FS/LA/DD have the best customer service imaginable. Since I've been a F&S customer (started when they were just Vets), I've known only one customer who was unhappy after doing business with the Drs. Foster & Smith companies: my Springer Spaniel who was neutered by Dr. Marty Smith in 1986.

BTW, not trying to shill for them but, its a great time to stock up on IO or RC salt. IO is $42.99 for 200 gals (4 bags). Free delivery to your door if you spend $50 at F&S ,no sales tax (except my old home state-WI.) and a $5 gift certificate with each box. This is about $20 a box less than PETCO, plus I avoid a 70 mile drive and don't have to look at a bunch fish. RC salt is $47.99.
 
Off topic-
Anyone have a problem with damages to the bags of salt in the 200g boxes from damage to the outer box?

My box arrived all ripped up. Thanks a lot Fedex (or UPS I can't remember which). Thanks goodness the bags were intact. But it makes me think twice about ordering the 200g again.
 
We ordered a whole b*ttload of the large IO boxes of salt when it was on sale last year...the poor delivery guy was thrilled that I had him drop them off at the front gate (we have a 4-wheel flatbed cart that works great for moving salt boxes, several 5 gal carboys of water, etc. Never had any "bad" boxes/internal bags before tho.
 
I can't even guess how much stuff I've bought from F&S and delivered by Fed-Ex since F&S bought Pet Warehouse about 1995. I haven't even had a broken light bulb. If a bag was torn, F&S would replace it.
 
ScubaPrawn said:
Anyone ever see a bristletooth tang this red before?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=126586

I wonder if it's just a great find or if LA did a great job taking the picture.

Wish I had my tank up, I'd probably get it :)
Click to expand...

Back to the picture subject. If DD was going to enhance a photo, wouldn't they do it to this drab looking $1500 African basslet than to a $40 tang? http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=126694
With all they go through, I don't see how DD can break even on the less expensive fish they always have.
 
Where's a pic of that tang in its new home?
I bet this pic is not right, if it is I do apologize and say that this is the best looking Ctenochaetus sp. I have ever seen.
 
Vili_Shark said:
Where's a pic of that tang in its new home?
I bet this pic is not right, if it is I do apologize and say that this is the best looking Ctenochaetus sp. I have ever seen.
Click to expand...

actually it do look that good,go to that page...the guy uploaded a partial shot..which matches..
 
my picture is bad but it does look like thiers. Very impressed awesome fish. Ima try and get better pictures point and shoot camera stinks lol looks like my dslr purchase will be sooner than exspected
 
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