Cocos Islands Pygmy Angelfish (Centropyge joculator)

[The Reef Expert]

Could any of you with experience for this fish please post some information here? I am very curious as to its diet preferences and availability. I do know that they come from the secluded Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Keelingislands.png

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/angels/images/YellowheadAngelfishWMA_Ap15BA.jpg

- Thanks!

 

[copps]

I acquired a tiny trio of these about three years ago... in less than a year they were grown and spawning... I also acquired the one and only captive raised individual which quickly became the male of the harem... these are a very hardy pygmy that eat anything and are collected well by the one collector in Cocos... they are sporadically available here in the US... but are you looking to acquire these in Bora Bora?

 

[dflad]

I second what John says. I received one about 6 months ago. A larger guy, he ate immediately and is very hardy taking in anything I offer. Quite personable too!

 

[Sheol]

I hesitate to ask my question, but what do Joculators go for, moneywise?

Matthew

 

[The Reef Expert]

Apparently $800 - 1000

 

[IFbettas]

Apparently $800 - 1000

In the states they are much cheaper than that.

 

[massman]

As mentioned they are only collected by one guy on Cocos. This was a condition of sale when the Clunies-Ross family sold the Island to the Australian government.
Monopoly at its greatest.

About 7 years ago I paid a lot of money to the then regulatory body AFMA (Australian Fisheries Management Authority) to determine the feasibility in allowing a permit to be issued to collect this species from Christmas Island (where they are far more common).
The study over 12 months proved that it was easily sustainable and that a licence application would be supported if I applied.
I subsequently did, the management authority was suddenly changed to Western Australian fisheries, and it was then rejected!
Not conducive to supporting the local economy. *** is that about. I live in the state?

I was dirty.
I've subsequently found out there was a bit of "ahem" political pressure to preserve the existing monopoly.

Anyway enough of my rant.
They are hardy fish, always found deeper than 20m, and are nearly always in harems. (At least in my 30 dives on Christmas Island)

I caught a couple, and they were eating brine within 30 minutes of surfacing whilst still in buckets.

 

[Yurivd]

how is the collector

 

[The Reef Expert]

Interesting. Do you catch fish in Christmas Island often? *hint* *hint* cough cough *pricelist* cough ??? :lol: lol

 

[DustnF]

I would also love to have one of these fish. What would be the best way to go about getting one?

 

[Sheol]

Sounds about right, with only one collector at present.
Well, I hope John's harem starts to spawn soon, maybe some will become available here in the states. <Subliminal suggestion inserted here!> LOL
BTW, how are they about pecking/nibbling at Reef life?

Matthew

 

[bradleyj]

I was able to acquire 2 of them last year in the hopes that they would eventually pair up.
I am constantly amazed by their personality, always playing together. I named them Ping and Pong because when they stare at you face to face, they look like little panda bears.

 

[Chelsey]

John's harem IS spawning....

"I acquired a tiny trio of these about three years ago... in less than a year they were grown and spawning"

 

[alcove]

arent those bicolor angels..........................lol awesome fish i want one!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Creetin]

arent those bicolor angels..........................lol awesome fish i want one!!!!!!!!!!

LOL the poor mans joc's/
I love the fish but there's alot of things i would like to get first.

 

[Sheol]

Well, this poorman has the C. bicolor right now! LOL
But I think Joculators are not as hard to acclimate. Its just accquiring them that takes effort.

Matthew

 

[Creetin]

I have a bicolor as well, Great fish!!

 

[reeftanker10]

Nice looking fish...Do they nip corals?

 

[Sheol]

Any Centropyge can nip at corals. Some never do. Some do & don't do much damage. Others are the Coral Terminator's. There is also some evidence that there are two sub-genera here, one of which ( Including C. argi & its relatives) that are lesser risks. And some, ie Lemonpeel's for one, love to graze coral, esp. LPS




Matt

 

[velvetelvis]

I also acquired the one and only captive raised individual which quickly became the male of the harem...

*trying not to hyperventilate* Where do you get captive-raised centropyge in the US? I know RTC was raising them a few years ago, but from what I understand they've stopped rearing angelfish...