ReefKeeper2009
Member
Just like the title say I would love to know where I can buy one? Thank you in advance Tony
Where can I purchase a Japanese angel?
- Thread starter ReefKeeper2009
- Start date
skibum9884
Active member
I assume you mean C. Interrupta?
Good luck.....I've been looking for a LONG time.
Good luck.....I've been looking for a LONG time.
melanotaenia
New member
in Japan
As copps said in another thread, wild caught adult C. interrupta have a terrible survival rate in captivity, even when acquired by experienced angelfish keepers. Your best bet, if you're serious about it, would be to wait until Live Aquaria puts one up for sale in Diver's Den (if they ever do). If you're patient then you can wait until Frank @ RCT Hawaii starts producing them again, but you'll have to get in line behind me 
myerst2
Active member
You can get them rather easily, only probleis that you can only get fish 5"+, which is a shame because they just can't handle shipping stress and they require cool temps. Unfortunately the ones that do make it to the states either die in transit or die within a month. Captive bred ones in few years...... We are all have our fingers crossed.
Maximus
Active member
As copps said in another thread, wild caught adult C. interrupta have a terrible survival rate in captivity, even when acquired by experienced angelfish keepers. Your best bet, if you're serious about it, would be to wait until Live Aquaria puts one up for sale in Diver's Den (if they ever do). If you're patient then you can wait until Frank @ RCT Hawaii starts producing them again, but you'll have to get in line behind me
I believe I'm first in line.
Maximus
Active member
Ahh, just taking a stroll down memory lane...
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/sanglee24/?action=view¤t=interruptus211-30-04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/sanglee24/interruptus211-30-04.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/sanglee24/?action=view¤t=interruptus211-30-04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/sanglee24/interruptus211-30-04.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
skibum9884
Active member
I hope I'm somewhere towards the top! At least if/when Frank gets Interrupta going there should be a good number of them.
Jacob D
New member
Ahh, just taking a stroll down memory lane...
I was drooling over your photos of those two back in the day
Who did those end up going to anyway?
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
I thought Stacie bought your pair Sang?
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
Gotcha. They sure were purrrdy!
I can't help but think that statements of the general type
""¦fish 5"+, which is a shame because they just can't handle shipping stress and they require cool temps. Unfortunately the ones that do make it to the states either die in transit or die within a month."
are a little misleading. Interrupta angels, like any extant species, is a hardy and durable fish when placed in an appropriate environment; if that were not the case, they would have gone extinct long ago. The trick with this fish is the same as with the most pedestrian damsel;
(a) Get in a healthy fish
(b) Provide an adequate environment
On topic (a): Interrupta angels do enter the US periodically; at least Quality Marine carries them occasionally. It would be informative (but obviously wishful thinking) to track the fate of these fish over time; do they really suffer the absolute mortality implied by the above statement? My own experiences have been mixed. The first interrupta that I purchased came from an on-line vendor that shall remain nameless. This mature male (~ 5") arrived already suffering from ich and died within a week in my Q-tank despite attempts at medication. My disappointment was compounded by the fact that the vendor refusing to credit me for the purchase, saying that the fish survived longer than the 24-hr guarantee. Lesson learned "“ I never used that vendor again. My second attempt went through Kevin Kohen at DD. Kevin assumed the risk for this transaction by keeping the fish at DD for over 4 weeks with DD's usual acclimation/medication, etc, treatment. This 4.5" male interruptus arrived in good shape and began eating immediately (pic below). This expert care, as well as Kevin eating the cost of fish that don't make it through DD's extensive quarantine procedure, of course all adds to the price, but I imagine that anyone considering this type of purchase is well aware of that aspect.
On topic (b): There is nothing particularly complicated about interrupta husbandry compared to any other centropyge; keep the temperature low, the food varied, and the tankmates benign. Specifically, my aquarium is a 175-gal reef-type display with mostly acros, a few montis, and a token chalice or two. The temperature is regulated at 73-74.5 oF with a ½ HP chiller. Tank illumination is provide by 2x400W 14K Geissmann MH's + 1x175W 15K Iwasaki MH. Water purification by an H&S-200 skimmer, GAC and GFO filtration, a calcium reactor and a Ca(OH)2 reactor round out the maintenance equipment. This interrupta has been in my care for about 1.5 years at present, and it is the boss of the tank. It eats all food offered; Formula One and Tetraveggie spirulina-enriched flakes, Aqueon Marine granules, PE and Hikari mysis shrimp, and big chunks of raw shrimp (!) It swims prominently in the water column and has no untoward interactions, either as an aggressor or as a victim, with any other fish in the aquarium. As can be seen from the photos below (apologies in advance for the photo quality), the interrupta peacefully coexists with a conspecific, fish that are slightly larger, and fish of approximately the same color scheme. The only induced behavioral response that I have observed centers on a pair of L. carmabi; their swimming locations definitely anticorrelate with that of the interrupta, although the interrupta has never displayed any aggression towards either of them that I have seen.
So, I hope that others are not dissuaded from attempting to acquire an interrupta by the "urban legend" that all wild-caught ones "either die in transit or die within a month." I would love to hear the experience of others with this fish as well.
Ken
""¦fish 5"+, which is a shame because they just can't handle shipping stress and they require cool temps. Unfortunately the ones that do make it to the states either die in transit or die within a month."
are a little misleading. Interrupta angels, like any extant species, is a hardy and durable fish when placed in an appropriate environment; if that were not the case, they would have gone extinct long ago. The trick with this fish is the same as with the most pedestrian damsel;
(a) Get in a healthy fish
(b) Provide an adequate environment
On topic (a): Interrupta angels do enter the US periodically; at least Quality Marine carries them occasionally. It would be informative (but obviously wishful thinking) to track the fate of these fish over time; do they really suffer the absolute mortality implied by the above statement? My own experiences have been mixed. The first interrupta that I purchased came from an on-line vendor that shall remain nameless. This mature male (~ 5") arrived already suffering from ich and died within a week in my Q-tank despite attempts at medication. My disappointment was compounded by the fact that the vendor refusing to credit me for the purchase, saying that the fish survived longer than the 24-hr guarantee. Lesson learned "“ I never used that vendor again. My second attempt went through Kevin Kohen at DD. Kevin assumed the risk for this transaction by keeping the fish at DD for over 4 weeks with DD's usual acclimation/medication, etc, treatment. This 4.5" male interruptus arrived in good shape and began eating immediately (pic below). This expert care, as well as Kevin eating the cost of fish that don't make it through DD's extensive quarantine procedure, of course all adds to the price, but I imagine that anyone considering this type of purchase is well aware of that aspect.
On topic (b): There is nothing particularly complicated about interrupta husbandry compared to any other centropyge; keep the temperature low, the food varied, and the tankmates benign. Specifically, my aquarium is a 175-gal reef-type display with mostly acros, a few montis, and a token chalice or two. The temperature is regulated at 73-74.5 oF with a ½ HP chiller. Tank illumination is provide by 2x400W 14K Geissmann MH's + 1x175W 15K Iwasaki MH. Water purification by an H&S-200 skimmer, GAC and GFO filtration, a calcium reactor and a Ca(OH)2 reactor round out the maintenance equipment. This interrupta has been in my care for about 1.5 years at present, and it is the boss of the tank. It eats all food offered; Formula One and Tetraveggie spirulina-enriched flakes, Aqueon Marine granules, PE and Hikari mysis shrimp, and big chunks of raw shrimp (!) It swims prominently in the water column and has no untoward interactions, either as an aggressor or as a victim, with any other fish in the aquarium. As can be seen from the photos below (apologies in advance for the photo quality), the interrupta peacefully coexists with a conspecific, fish that are slightly larger, and fish of approximately the same color scheme. The only induced behavioral response that I have observed centers on a pair of L. carmabi; their swimming locations definitely anticorrelate with that of the interrupta, although the interrupta has never displayed any aggression towards either of them that I have seen.
So, I hope that others are not dissuaded from attempting to acquire an interrupta by the "urban legend" that all wild-caught ones "either die in transit or die within a month." I would love to hear the experience of others with this fish as well.
Ken
skibum9884
Active member
Ken,
That is an absolutely beautiful Interrupta (and Feminus Wrasse too!). Thanks for sharing your experiences.
While I agree with most of what you've said, I would caution someone who is looking to walk into an LFS and purchase one of these. I think they require a VERY dedicated and knowledgeable keeper, and from what I've seen the smaller ones that adjust better to captivity rarely/never make it to the US. Purchasing from a very reputable source (as you did with Live Aquaria) is a great decision and Kevin did a lot of the hard work in getting the fish healthy and eating well prior to you receiving the fish.
I wish you much continued success with your fish, and please share more pictures!
That is an absolutely beautiful Interrupta (and Feminus Wrasse too!). Thanks for sharing your experiences.
While I agree with most of what you've said, I would caution someone who is looking to walk into an LFS and purchase one of these. I think they require a VERY dedicated and knowledgeable keeper, and from what I've seen the smaller ones that adjust better to captivity rarely/never make it to the US. Purchasing from a very reputable source (as you did with Live Aquaria) is a great decision and Kevin did a lot of the hard work in getting the fish healthy and eating well prior to you receiving the fish.
I wish you much continued success with your fish, and please share more pictures!
copps
Premium Member
Hey Ken, great to see you post! The office fish are looking friggin' awesome! I'll break down my experiences with interrupta below, having had experience as a hobbyist with both wild and captive bred interrupta, and having been involved closely with both collectors of the fish in Japan to wholesalers and retails in the states...
I can tell you for a fact that the majority at least, and close to the vast majority, of wild interrupta die within one to two months of collection. On top of all the issies mentioned, there is a worm that infests their body cavity that has proven resistant to treatment as it is in the body cavity. These symptoms are commonly seen with wild interrupta... ask anyone who's imported them directly. The fish will otherwise look fine, yet get bloated little by little over the coarse of time, eventually perishing. Does it happen with them all? No... but the majority yes, again on top of all of the other issues.
As I always say... there are no angels that are hard to keep, only those that are hard to adapt. That distinction needs to be made for people to understand the issue. I agree 100% with your statement about interrupta being hardy and durable, ONCE ADAPTED, which is how you got your second specimen.
This is the battle! People who know what they're doing and have the experience and environment for a wild interrupta should have no qualms about buying an adapted wild fish that's been in captivity for at least a month, but as you found good luck finding that! Centropyge interrupta is a fish that costs about $200 exported from Japan, with of course all of the INSANE fees and freight added on to all Japanese shipments. Centropyge interrupta are also fairly regularly available if you know where to look in Japan. So why do we not see them often? For the above reasons... these fish are a HUGE headache and the resulting specimens that make it show in the price... and justifiably...
This fish has a record in captivity of doing fine once adapted, and of course there is no ABSOLUTE mortality... but the chances are not good for freshly collected specimens...
Kevin Kohen is at the top of my list in terms of people in the industry I respect. He will be the first person to back up my sentiments on interrupta... why don't we see them in the Diver's Den? HEADACHE! We can agree... getting an interrupta under the care of Kevin Kohen for a month will DRASTICALLY improve your odds! But most people will get one as you did your first specimen... fairly freshly imported for a more reasonable price that has been passed though the chain of custody like a hot potato knowing the fate of the fish... and who ends up eating it? You... the consumer... that's what is absolutely great about the DD... they'll eat it before you...
It's not an urban legend Ken... it's more common than not... not all of them of course, but most...
Lastly, again Ken nice fish!
Copps
I can tell you for a fact that the majority at least, and close to the vast majority, of wild interrupta die within one to two months of collection. On top of all the issies mentioned, there is a worm that infests their body cavity that has proven resistant to treatment as it is in the body cavity. These symptoms are commonly seen with wild interrupta... ask anyone who's imported them directly. The fish will otherwise look fine, yet get bloated little by little over the coarse of time, eventually perishing. Does it happen with them all? No... but the majority yes, again on top of all of the other issues.
As I always say... there are no angels that are hard to keep, only those that are hard to adapt. That distinction needs to be made for people to understand the issue. I agree 100% with your statement about interrupta being hardy and durable, ONCE ADAPTED, which is how you got your second specimen.
This is the battle! People who know what they're doing and have the experience and environment for a wild interrupta should have no qualms about buying an adapted wild fish that's been in captivity for at least a month, but as you found good luck finding that! Centropyge interrupta is a fish that costs about $200 exported from Japan, with of course all of the INSANE fees and freight added on to all Japanese shipments. Centropyge interrupta are also fairly regularly available if you know where to look in Japan. So why do we not see them often? For the above reasons... these fish are a HUGE headache and the resulting specimens that make it show in the price... and justifiably...
This fish has a record in captivity of doing fine once adapted, and of course there is no ABSOLUTE mortality... but the chances are not good for freshly collected specimens...
Kevin Kohen is at the top of my list in terms of people in the industry I respect. He will be the first person to back up my sentiments on interrupta... why don't we see them in the Diver's Den? HEADACHE! We can agree... getting an interrupta under the care of Kevin Kohen for a month will DRASTICALLY improve your odds! But most people will get one as you did your first specimen... fairly freshly imported for a more reasonable price that has been passed though the chain of custody like a hot potato knowing the fate of the fish... and who ends up eating it? You... the consumer... that's what is absolutely great about the DD... they'll eat it before you...
It's not an urban legend Ken... it's more common than not... not all of them of course, but most...
Lastly, again Ken nice fish!
Copps
a good number came in around a year ago, someone local bought 4 and had two survive (i know one of the 4 died due to improper decompression and had its swim bladder basically explode) in his 210 that have paired off and spawn pretty regularly. i think they just stopped as the weathers getting cooler and the tanks in his basement
