Cheatodon gardineri

I was thinking and hoping the same thing...

Few pictures online... but it's quite an attractive looking fish from what I can tell with sort of the half black look to it. WetWebMedia states that gut content analysis suggests a broad feeding strategy, as I would think for a somewhat deeper water species.
 
It is supposed to get here late this morning/early afternoon from Quality Marine to Aquatic Warehouse (a LFS of mine). I'm a bit nervous on the size, as it was listed as an XL :o Hopefully it's not huge. Fishbase lists max size of 17cm so I think it'll be fine. The QT is still running from before; I'll just do a 100% water change pior to adding this new fish.
 
Just picked her up. I was really worried that it wasn't going to be the right fish, considering how inexpensive it was. I shouldn't doubt QM's ID skills :o I'm interested to know about it's range... not sure fishbase is right, considering what was labeled on the bag...

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waiting also. curious on the size. seems like things that I have been ordering lately are erroring on the larger size.
 
In-the-bag pic posted...

This is truly exciting for me. I've been a butterfly fan from day one. Now to find one that I've never even heard of, much less seen before, is just awesome. And the fact that it all happened through social media like Facebook and my local reef forum, is just amazing :lol: My buddy at the LFS tried to look it up to see what it looks like, clearly (it was still in the bag) couldn't find a pic in any of his books at the store.
 
It is pictured in my butterflyfish book by Rudy Kuiter. But the pics there and online don't do it justice to the one you posted! Looks like a nice score and from the sound of it, it didn't break the bank which is the best! Its always cool to find something that you really like.
 
Peter, just curious about the location posted on the bag.

In the book I have it lists "widespread northern Indian Ocean in mainland waters, ranging east to Sumatra" - Kuiter.

Also the stress/night colors look kind of weird, like a big black boat anchor on the side.
 
The bag said south Asia. Thanks, yes, it's always fun to get a specimen that you think is just so cool. It was only $90... I was suprised, since besides location, FB lists it's depth at usually 20+ meters.

Honestly, I don't understand the "distribution" as it compares to the highlighted map that they show.... they say east to Sri Lanka... but then the map shows all the way down to Australia's west coast???
 
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Seems like the right fish, it is very similar to Cheatodon selene...

A LFS in my area bought in a pair from HK, and it was sold immediately to a customer, both are quite big specimen, and heard that is feeding on pellets the first day in the tank..
 
Beautiful specimen. Not a mark on 'em. Looks healthy, alert and well fed. Great find! Congratulations! He'll be eating soon, he really just got off the plane.
 
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