True Golden Puffer MIA/Wanted

[LRS078]

For some time now I have been looking for a true/full golden puffer (arothron meleagris). All the ones I've seen at either retail and wholesale level are incompletely changed from guineafowl stage. Even online stores like liveaquaria say they ship goldens that are not completely changed yet. Unfortunately once in anything but the ocean their color pretty much is locked. (correct me if my info is off on this please)

None of the LFS in the metro atlanta have any. Of course one can special order but that puts you in the blind. With all the trouble I've had on w' the rotten banana vs true golden look that doesn't seem the answer as if they special order I am stuck with the fish no matter what it looks like. I might consider getting some fish sight unseen but not on something that is to me (monster puffer fan) a holy grail fish and centerpiece. Not to mention we are not talking damsel pricing here.

Please please please if anyone knows of a place that has one within a day trip of Alpharetta (northern suburb of Atlanta) please let me know. Or if you have a good source that can send pics of the actual fish that is a online store I am game.

Thanks as always...

PS Is it just not the season or something but I can't find a aussie harlequin tusk either...

 

[creepereefer]

I have a hawiian gold puffer when i first got it it lost all its color due to stress but it did color back up and is super nice

 

[stevebydac]

See my avatar. That's an 11" puffer I gave away to a bigger tank. Had him for 3 years.

Some notes to help you: I've known of only two like this locally in approx. 20 years. I was discouraged from buying the first one at an LFS because the fish was really aggressive. Nothing could be put in the tank with it. On the other hand, mine was a pussycat. VERY mellow. Deferred to a smaller clown trigger in my tank, but wasn't shy about getting his food either. He grew pretty quickly, about 1-2" per year, and I am not a heavy feeder.

Colors: In the 3 years, he was solid banana yellow the whole time. I noticed that a handful of small black dots appeared on his sides, but never got real big, and showed no signs of turning his color dark -- I feared that for a while but it obviously was not happening. His fin edges went from mostly clear to a mix of white/grey/dark grey, but this color didn't spread to his body. (The avatar pic was taken approx. 1 year before I sold him).

A GORGEOUS fish. I hope you can get one. My advice is to have a 225-300 gallon tank as it was obvious mine was not slowing down in growth in a 180g.

Too bad I didn't know you a few months ago. I gave mine away to a guy who was a local club member and had a good home in a 400+g tank. So I gave him this puffer for just $75 (they go for $300+). I didn't mind as I loved the fish and simply wanted a clear mind that he was going to live out his life in a big tank owned by a responsible keeper.

Some possible sources for you (I have no idea how nice/healthy these fish are):
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pCatId=15
http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/puffers/
http://www.atlantisaquarium.net/fish.html
http://www.absolutelyfish.com/HomePage.htm
http://marinedepotlive.com/marinedepotlive/fish--puffers.html

Good luck!

 

[LRS078]

Thanks for the links....been to most of em. On most fish <$100 I don't mind web ordering. On something like this I may have to though.... Just nervous about throwing down $300'ish bucks on something sight unseen that may end up looking "banana turd". Looks like I may have to...that or Sp. order from an LFS. May do the LFS route...anyone here from ATL area know an LFS that wants to work something out?

Thanks again, I'll keep you posted....

 

[creepereefer]

I located a golden puffer from sir lanka today very nice a small fish store in my area has it. Its looks nice they were asking $375 if you like I will talk to them try to talk them down.

 

[zemuron114]

i see them all the time at a LFS here in Hawaii that get x-mas island shipments in monthly. The ones from christmas island are the best looking.

The solid golden color you are wanting is VERY rare. 99% of the ones i see(which is probably over 30) had black dots on them (some more then others)
I shipped one to a friend that was yellow tang yellow with 7 black dots about the size of a permanent marker point. It was amazing... there was also one i saw that was GOLDEN not yellow.. hard to explain the color difference... lol

good luck in your search!!

 

[creepereefer]

114 can you send me a pm

 

[McCrary]

We had one at the fish store I work at and it went for $500. Fish stores get a list of all the fish that are available, but often you won't see high dollar fish even if they become available because the owner doesn't want to order a fish and then have it sit while he has to feed it. Ask your local fish store to order one if it comes on the list. My store gives discounts to people who order specific fish because we know that we won't have to sit on it.

 

[michindi]

LRS I sent you a pm

 

[LRS078]

Thank you for the PM's all...

UPDATE: I now have a golden puffer.

I found a LFS owner who had the fish for a year in his personal tank at home. He was willing to part with a specimen who had perfect/near perfect coloring, awesome personality, and is the perfect size to start (about 6")

Thanks again to all who replied.

I'll post pics once he is done with his QT and is all settled in....

 

[Petstorejunkie]

cant wait to see him!

 

[stevebydac]

Congratulations! You'll love him!

 

[zemuron114]

PICS!!!!