Captive bred G. Personatus in a reef tank

[WayneL333]

Hey everyone,

First I wanted to say thank you to both Rufus and Karen. Without their knowledge, skills and efforts, us hobbyists would never have this amazing opportunity to own these fascinating animals.

Since we're on the eve of the one year hatchday of these amazing creatures, I thought I start a thread to document my trio in my reef tank. Hopefully, the breeding program will be successful enough where a lot more of you hobbyists can eventually post your experiences of your own GP in your own reef tanks too!

It all started around the beginning of this year when Rufus and Karen finally sent me my trio of GP. All of us were giddy with excitement and laughter!

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa89%2FWayneL333%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Ftrim.3FACC592-F67B-4ED6-B0F0-23696087D157_zpsg6imfsnv.mp4&title=">

http://vid9.photobucket.com/albums/...2-F67B-4ED6-B0F0-23696087D157_zpsg6imfsnv.mp4

I had to delay delivery of them for several months because my new reef tank took forever to finish. Anyway, I've kept it under wraps for awhile because I didn't want to jinx myself and wanted them safe in tank before I mentioned them.

I kept them isolated in my refugium because I wanted to condition them to my system. I wanted to fatten them up and not have them compete for getting food. I mainly wanted to get them a little larger before I released them in the display. I was worried that the smallest one was small enough to go through my overflow. Here they are in my 50g refugium:

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa89%2FWayneL333%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Ftrim.7B87267F-1C84-42D7-AA94-3C2828779A79_zpsembiczsw.mp4&title=">

http://vid9.photobucket.com/albums/...F-1C84-42D7-AA94-3C2828779A79_zpsembiczsw.mp4

Finally, a few days ago I released them into my reef tank. I first put them in their own isolation boxes to see if any of my current fish would show any aggression to them. I was worried that either the Bandits or Interrupta would bully them. I was also concerned about my Gem and Black tang. I kept my LED's on the lowest setting just to ease them in. Anyway, here's a quick video of them in the isolation box:

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa89%2FWayneL333%2FIMG_1914_zpsdyrp1dqs.mp4&title=">

http://vid9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/WayneL333/IMG_1914_zpsdyrp1dqs.mp4

None of the fish even came up to investigate so I decided it was time. I can't tell you how stressful it was to actually release them into the tank because in my 350g+ reef tank, once they're in there, there's no way to to get them out unless I tear all the rock work out. Trust me, been there and done that way too many times! I released one at first and everyone seem to leave it alone. It figured that after I released all three, the posturing would start!

 

[Dmorty217]

Hey everyone,

First I wanted to say thank you to both Rufus and Karen. Without their knowledge, skills and efforts, us hobbyists would never have this amazing opportunity to own these fascinating animals.

Since we're on the eve of the one year hatchday of these amazing creatures, I thought I start a thread to document my trio in my reef tank. Hopefully, the breeding program will be successful enough where a lot more of you hobbyists can eventually post your experiences of your own GP in your own reef tanks too!

It all started around the beginning of this year when Rufus and Karen finally sent me my trio of GP. All of us were giddy with excitement and laughter!

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa89%2FWayneL333%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Ftrim.3FACC592-F67B-4ED6-B0F0-23696087D157_zpsg6imfsnv.mp4&title=">

http://vid9.photobucket.com/albums/...2-F67B-4ED6-B0F0-23696087D157_zpsg6imfsnv.mp4

I had to delay delivery of them for several months because my new reef tank took forever to finish. Anyway, I've kept it under wraps for awhile because I didn't want to jinx myself and wanted them safe in tank before I mentioned them.

I kept them isolated in my refugium because I wanted to condition them to my system. I wanted to fatten them up and not have them compete for getting food. I mainly wanted to get them a little larger before I released them in the display. I was worried that the smallest one was small enough to go through my overflow. Here they are in my 50g refugium:

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa89%2FWayneL333%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Ftrim.7B87267F-1C84-42D7-AA94-3C2828779A79_zpsembiczsw.mp4&title=">

http://vid9.photobucket.com/albums/...F-1C84-42D7-AA94-3C2828779A79_zpsembiczsw.mp4

Finally, a few days ago I released them into my reef tank. I first put them in their own isolation boxes to see if any of my current fish would show any aggression to them. I was worried that either the Bandits or Interrupta would bully them. I was also concerned about my Gem and Black tang. I kept my LED's on the lowest setting just to ease them in. Anyway, here's a quick video of them in the isolation box:

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa89%2FWayneL333%2FIMG_1914_zpsdyrp1dqs.mp4&title=">

http://vid9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/WayneL333/IMG_1914_zpsdyrp1dqs.mp4

None of the fish even came up to investigate so I decided it was time. I can't tell you how stressful it was to actually release them into the tank because in my 350g+ reef tank, once they're in there, there's no way to to get them out unless I tear all the rock work out. Trust me, been there and done that way too many times! I released one at first and everyone seem to leave it alone. It figured that after I released all three, the posturing would start!

Thanks for sharing with us Wayne, I can only imagine the stress level involved with the whole process!

 

[WayneL333]

However, it didn't last long and soon everyone was living peacefully together.

Here's a video of them in their new home:

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa89%2FWayneL333%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Ftrim.BB2FEB40-E887-41BD-9C7B-CED13D9B55A1_zpspufqhzbs.mp4&title=">

http://vid9.photobucket.com/albums/...0-E887-41BD-9C7B-CED13D9B55A1_zpspufqhzbs.mp4

And a few pictures:

I did catch the girls kind of nipping at my Blue Squammy:

I hope it was just them being curious. I'd hate to have to take the squammy out.

Anyway, I'll hopefully be updating this thread for a long time to come. I have to admit owning these fish is crazy worrisome, especially in a reef tank environment. You never know what kind of hitchhikers you're going to get on a piece of coral. I stare at them all the time just to make sure they're ok.

Luckily I have a second QT system. I'll just be QT'ing everything for much longer than I usually did!

 

[WayneL333]

Thanks for sharing with us Wayne, I can only imagine the stress level involved with the whole process!

It's definitely my pleasure! Yeah, I can only equate it to bringing my own children home for the first time! I'm sure it will subside with time.

Luckily with today's controller technology and a few web cams strategically placed, I don't have to be at home to obsess about them!

 

[RDtrack]

Beautiful, hopefully with your rearing experiences and success of Karen & company these captive bred and raised angels can one day be available for local LFS to afford and sell to their customer bases.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I know I have learned a lot from your postings and experiences.

 

[acesq]

They are cuties. Such an amazing achievement for Karen and a huge step for the hobby. You clearly are giving them the care they deserve.

By the way, I love the sound of the femininus when its foraging. "crack, crack"

 

[paka]

Wayne,
You are such a good Gp dad! I've been extremely lucky to have the fish go to people like you and Ted and others who take excellent care of them and keep us updated with photos and info.
Your tank and the fish look awesome!:bounce3:

 

[humaguy]

wow, they look terrific!

 

[jbvdhp]

These are so nice. I wish I had the 20-30k for a pair of these.

 

[Deinonych]

Amazing! Congrats on the transfer. That T. squamosa is huge! How long have you had it?

 

[ian03]

They look amazing, We can only dream of fish like that here in the UK

 

[ryanrid]

stunning!

 

[trueblackpercula]

Outstanding

 

[stunreefer]

So awesome, bro! As mentioned at Scott's after RAP... keep your doors locked

Keep up the great work, new tank is looking stellar :thumbsup:

 

[WayneL333]

So awesome, bro! As mentioned at Scott's after RAP... keep your doors locked

Keep up the great work, new tank is looking stellar :thumbsup:

Thanks guys. Lol, doors double and tripled locked, ADT armed patrol, drop cams throughout the house, personal protection, etc!

 

[humaguy]

Thanks guys. Lol, doors double and tripled locked, ADT armed patrol, drop cams throughout the house, personal protection, etc!

....registered attack Shepard...don't even walk on the grass....

 

[Dmorty217]

....registered attack Shepard...don't even walk on the grass....

Very nice... You will get bit!

 

[snorvich]

Outstanding.

 

[WayneL333]

....registered attack Shepard...don't even walk on the grass....

Lol...it's more like my wife's attack Yorkie but I did train it to go for the jugular. It'll also wake the entire neighborhood up with its yapping!

 

[myerst2]

I'd feed the GP squamosas everyday if it meant watching them mature to adults. Best of luck and hope you see them mature to beautiful long lived adults.