Pearlscale Butterfly - Chaetodon xanthurus

[keefsama2003]

Has anyone seen the above mentioned butterfly fish?

i Have 2 and they look just like that except the tail is Bright Red instead of the orange that all the books list and i havent seen anything other than the orange tails?

anyone think they are more expensive less?

i will get a pic up soon but wanted to throw it out there tonight.

 

[keefsama2003]

 

[SDguy]

This link shows the three related species...should help you ID for certain.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Goodchaetodon.htm

HTH

 

[keefsama2003]

Thanks Sd i have been searching trying to get a definite Id its still a real pretty fish there are a pair of them.

 

[keefsama2003]

Chaetodon paucifasciatus Ahl 1923, the Red Sea Chevron, Red-Back or Crown Butterflyfish. One of my favorite fish species from my favorite diving area, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. An omnivore that will eat coral polyps if hungry. Expensive in the west, but worth every cent. Wild and aquarium photos by RMF.


Above is the exact fish i have a pair of thanks for the link

 

[keefsama2003]

ok my next question. I searched some of the sites like LA and MDlive and a few others cant find this fish anywhere are they rare ? common but not collected? and what would a fair price be?

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6930685#post6930685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by keefsama2003
ok my next question. I searched some of the sites like LA and MDlive and a few others cant find this fish anywhere are they rare ? common but not collected? and what would a fair price be?

They aren't rare, they just aren't offered here very often. I think because they are pricey (from the red sea) and their lookalike cousins are about as pretty, just as hardy, and much cheaper.

No idea what a fair price would be.

 

[keefsama2003]

wow ok thanks.

 

[NexDog]

keefsama2003, an LFS near me has 2 Pearlscales in stock and I really like them. I've read many threads but I can't find a definitive answer - will this fish eat coral?

 

[gkarshens]

Mine was not picking at any corals for the first 2 months I had him. Then I got a frag of an Acro with really long polyps. He has been nipping at it ever since it hit the water!

 

[NexDog]

Hmmm, think I'll give them a miss then. Shame though, beautiful fish.

 

[keefsama2003]

yeah very pretty.

i really dont have any acro's but i may get a few frags for the butterflys if it comes down to it.

 

[cabby]

I picked up a pair of redbacks from the LFS here in Denver. Have them in the FOWLR. Had some misc. mushrooms in there and they hammered them. I would not put these guys in a reef. Just my observation. Nice butterflies though. They are pretty low on the pecking order with all the angels in there but they hold there own. Smith/Foster had them last month. Listed at $89
MM