What rare angel is the least owned?

[SARBoy]

Yellow tangs now two a penny over here. failing a potters i would go for a rusty but have only seen one over here and at the time i had a 10g so that was a no go. looking at my tank as i write i think i may have to go bigger befor i even think of a purchace. At the moment i am just doing home work.

 

[sedgro]

I just returned from Oahu (Hawaii). I did a couple dives with a collector friend of mine. I have never seen so many Potter's angels! Seems like there was a harem every 10 ft or so. This was all at about 100 ft of depth. This was the best photo I manage to snap(Potters in center):

The ones I followed seemed to eat mostly algae and detritus.
I had him (my friend) collect me a small pair which I brought back as checked baggage. I paid $15 each for them. So far, so good. For whatever reason, this angel has developed a poor track record in the US. I think, like any other fish, the care they get before you receive them has a lot to do with their survivability. I also brought back a 1.5 cm goldflake (not from Hawaii, but transits through there).

john

 

[jmicky41]

Wow, a 1.5cm goldflake, that is way under an inch. Do you have a pic?

 

[zemuron114]

sedgro - who did you dive with?

i think he meant 1.5" goldflake. 1.5cm is barely noticeable.. lol i have a 1" goldflake in my reef at home.

 

[JamesJR]

I bet there aren't many people who have a holacanthus africanus either. I saw one online for sale today and I had never seen one offered before. they didn't say what it cost but I bet it is outrageous.

 

[SARBoy]

Am very jealous. A pair of potters hand picked of $15 thats like £7.50. Most damesels cost that much over here. I guess i would have to factor in the diving lessons, flights and accommadation. life can seem so unfair.

 

[fishsoldseprtly]

I am actually getting a mated pair of Multi-Barred angels next week. Hope they do well.

 

[coralite]

Warren, Do you really think that a fish collector just happened to witness a pair of angels mate in the wild and then succeeded in capturing both fish? Isn;t it more likely that they are just selling you any two old fish which happen to get along? come on, if someone sells you a "mated" pair and they aren't clownfish or african cichlids, I'd say they are full of detritus. And for your sake I hope you dont have your heart set on keeping multi bar angels very long as their captive track record is mighty bleak.

 

[Tremelle]

JamesJR, have you called Tom to inquire as to how much it cost? I purchased my Chrysurus and Blueline angels from him. He has good quality fish. I may drop him a line to find out the cost.

 

[triggerfish1976]

RCT has a section on their site that talks about Debelius. I am wondering if he sent his first batch to Japan.
I hope they become avail. in the US soon.

 

[LargeAngels]

RCT will not be doing anything for the next 3 years, but then he will come back stronger.

 

[triggerfish1976]

Sorry about that last post. It was posted out of context in reply to a much earlier post.

Getting back on topic:
Does anyone know if it is possible to collect Ballinae Angels? A LFS claims they can get them, Blue Potters, and G. Personatus Angels but I think he is full of it. Granted he is asking TOP $ for them but I still think the Ballinae and Blue Potters claims are B.S.

 

[JamesJR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8676758#post8676758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by triggerfish1976
Sorry about that last post. It was posted out of context in reply to a much earlier post.

Getting back on topic:
Does anyone know if it is possible to collect Ballinae Angels? A LFS claims they can get them, Blue Potters, and G. Personatus Angels but I think he is full of it. Granted he is asking TOP $ for them but I still think the Ballinae and Blue Potters claims are B.S.

Balllinae angelfish are protected by the australian government and they are not allowing any to be collected. Blue potters, I have only heard of a few specimens ever being found in the wild or offered for sale. Tell me what this guy at the fish store is smoking because it sounds like good stuff!

 

[coralite]

ditto on james's statements. Blue potters are rare freaks which are likely to be sold to the highest bidder and Ballina angels can only be collected by permits which are reserved for scientific research, vis-a-vis, joe shmoe hobbyist aint getting one. Not only is the ballina a protected species but it also lives in a marine protected area where fishing (of any kind) is prohibited.

 

[triggerfish1976]

I knew Ballinae were protected but was not sure of the extent. He also claims be able to get Peppermint Angels as well. I pretty much knew he was on something but you never know what some people can and cannot get in this hobby with the right connections.

 

[JamesJR]

That is true some people can get those types of connections. But I doubt it and just because they are on some availability list doesn't mean he will get them even if he orders them. I

 

[fishsoldseprtly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8676012#post8676012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralite
Warren, Do you really think that a fish collector just happened to witness a pair of angels mate in the wild and then succeeded in capturing both fish? Isn;t it more likely that they are just selling you any two old fish which happen to get along? come on, if someone sells you a "mated" pair and they aren't clownfish or african cichlids, I'd say they are full of detritus. And for your sake I hope you dont have your heart set on keeping multi bar angels very long as their captive track record is mighty bleak.

so I guess just because these are saltwater angels and not clownfish and cichlids then there are no chances that they can actually be a mated pair?.. LOL now thats full of detritus.
I will definitely take my chances. I have been collecting for a while and I have had a multi barred in the past, and yea they dont do well in captivity and I do know that as well. But there are reefers on RC that have them and have been successful in keeping them even a pair..
I hope John (copps) can chime in on this.

 

[zemuron114]

most pygmy angels are either found in singles or in pairs. If a collector finds 2 pygmy angels hiding in the same hole or very close to eachother, most of the time they will be a pair. Collected pairs happen all the time, just most get seperated along the way...

there is no way your LFS can get a blue potters. lol
peppermint angels quite possibly. Enough contact and enough money you can get one.

 

[LargeAngels]

Here is my pair of multibarr. Collection and handling quality I think has a lot to do with the success. These came straight from Vanuatu and are even eating flake food.

 

[jmicky41]

An LFS can get a blue potters - I've seen one. As for the personatus, ballinae, or peppermint - I doubt it.