Meredithi or Scribbled

[cmaxwell39]

I purchased this fish ~10 months ago from Diver's Den. It was sold as a Scribbled angel (Chaetodontoplus duboulayi). Here is what it looked like at the time of purchase.

The second photo is just for size refrence. The fish was extremely small (1.75"). As it has matured over the last 10 months it has not developed the patterns that I was expecting, and I am now debating whether or not I was sold a Scrbbled or a false personifier ((Chaetodontoplus meredithi). Here are a couple of pictures of this fish today. He is currently 3.5-4".

What can you angel experts tell me about my fish? Thanks in advance.

 

[geaux xman]

The bottom 3 fish pics indicate it is a false personifer. I have both fish.

I'm not good with really juvenile angels, but 3" scribbled looks adult except smaller.

 

[HSR]

That sure looks like Chaetodontoplus meredithi to me.

 

[shaka]

That's a nice looking angel, but definitely not a Scribbled Angel.

Like geaux man said, a 3" Scribbled will look like an adult.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking the same thing, but as this is my first large angel I figured I would get some help from th experts. Thanks again for confirming what I had thought.

 

[geaux xman]

so are you happy with the fish even though you were originally wanting a scribbled? they are very nice looking grown as well...

 

[jonros_sea]

Nice Personifer regardless! I have one and it's my favorite in my tank. Yours grew QUICK - about the only 'issue' I have with mine is how slow mine seems to grow.

 

[SDguy]

While it's not a scribbled (I'm sure LA will fix that for you) it is a beautiful meredithi! I hope you keep and enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine

 

[angelfish7]

I have both and its definitely a Personifer. Did you let DD know because i believe Scribbled angels are more expensive so dont they technically owe you the difference in price if they sent the wrong fish!

 

[bullitr]

I have both too
That's a Meredithi its very nice one too

 

[cmaxwell39]

I sent a message to Liveaquaria today. I will let you know what response I get from them. I have no doubt that they will make it right one way or another. They have always treated me very fairly.


I am not sure what I am going to do with the meredithi. While they are a good looking fish, I (actually my wife) was really wanting a scribbled. Since my tank is only a 150 (72x24x20) I don't think I have room for both, and the 14" mature size of the meredithi concerns me a little as well.

On the other hand, this angel gets along great with current tank inhabitants, and doesn't bother any corals (all sps tank). It might be tempting to keep a known entity rather than take a chance on something new.

Suggestions?

 

[SDguy]

Meredithis don't actually get that big. I think the max listed total length is 10". My male is about 8-9".

 

[cmaxwell39]

Good to know. I have checked multiple sites for max size on the meredithi, including LA, and they all list max size at 14". If it won't get over 10" that would be good.

 

[SDguy]

Good to know. I have checked multiple sites for max size on the meredithi, including LA, and they all list max size at 14". If it won't get over 10" that would be good.

Fishbase lists it at 25cm, not to be confused with the personifer and scribbled, which both get larger.

 

[cmaxwell39]

So much conflicting information out there. Live aquaria lists max size on the scribbled at 10", and the max size on the False personifier (Meredithi) as 1' 2". This is consistent with a couple of other sites that I checked. I will check fish base.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Just wanted to let everyone know that LA has given me a refund of $100 to make up for the difference in cost between the False Personifier and the Scribbled. I love Live Aquaria for thier customer service. No questions asked, just do what they can to make things right. I have not dealt with any other company that is as easy to work with as they are.

For all of you that have False Personifiers and love them, what do you like about the fish? I like the adult coloration of the scribbled better, but don't think that I have room for both fish. Trying to decide whether to keep this fish, or sell it and try and get a Scribbled again. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[geaux xman]

if its a male scribbled, then it looks awesome. male scribbled angels are very rare though. Mine is a changing male and has popeye.

http://youtu.be/T7a19h1S5Bk?hd=1

I know a guy that had to get rid of his scribbled b/c it ate up his reef.

My vote is to keep the fish that you kept it since it was a tiny juvenile.

Your tank, your fish though... G'luck.

 

[SDguy]

For all of you that have False Personifiers and love them, what do you like about the fish? I like the adult coloration of the scribbled better, but don't think that I have room for both fish. Trying to decide whether to keep this fish, or sell it and try and get a Scribbled again. Thanks again for all your help.

Just personal preference. I don't think I could say my meredithis are better than scribbled angels for any other reason other than I like them better. I think you should get the fish that you want most. I can't comment on reef safeness - mine are in a FOWLR.

 

[bullitr]

I have a 10" Meredith I love the bright blue colors on its face
the 6" scribble very nice male or female it's always one of my favorite

That so nice of liveaquaria to give you that much in refund because the price difference is not that much specially for that size.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Yeah Live Aquaria is awesome. Their customer service is second to none.

Thanks for all the input. I am not in a huge hurry on this fish. It would be cool to be able to know that I have kept the fish since it was a tiny juvenile. Still not sure what I am going to do, but I appreciate everyone's input.