Why is a Xmas emp angel so much more?

[bobkill]

Question
As the title suggest why is a Xmas island emp angel so much more- pia has one for 220 or I can get a 'regular' emp from my lfs same size for way less than that-


Thoughts?

 

[breederforlife]

Its mostly due to the location that they come from and the emperors from xmas island have more vivid colours.

The regular emp angel is definetly a good choice.

 

[bobkill]

So the colors are better ? I know there is a chance of a orange tail butttttt

 

[bullitr]

Why is a Xmas emp angel so much more?

Its a lot brighter for one, you can tell which one is XMI right away.
Red Sea is even more expensive and brighter.

 

[bobkill]

Any one have documentation of such?

 

[bullitr]

Its based on experience
My Xmas island changing


My adult


Indo are more pale yellow

 

[bobkill]

Great pics- so basically pony up and spend the extra money

 

[the808state]

There are a few factors:

1) location - CXI (christmas Island) is pretty far to ship anywhere but Hawaii with a good survival rate. And the costs of materials, dive equipment, etc are all higher priced since it all needs to be shipped there.

2) They are indeed nicer. A side by side comparison speaks volume. Even the juveniles are more bright and have much more defined lines. I'm not knocking indo or other locations emps by any means. I love emperors, but after having many many CXI emperors, I would only buy one of those

They are in the same realm as Red Sea easily. Red sea is more expensive strictly from a logistical stand point.

 

[bullitr]

I think some of the large adult Red Sea have orange/reddish tail. But almost impossible to acquired now. I only seen a few person its looks like a Xmas island but its only a small adult it will probably be a lot brighter as it gets older.

IMO get the Xmas island its worth the money ... Just like getting regal angel. Indo is less colorful, Indian Ocean yellow bellow is brighter but Sudanese( Red Sea ) is the brightest

 

[BlueMac92]

Yes. I saw an indo emperor at my LFS a couple weeks ago and the color is just sad compared to other emps. They look washed out. I took a picture of their display XMI emperor and showed it to my friend. My buddy says "the color looks like it was done with microsoft paint". Pony up, and go XMI!

 

[alton]

PIA had this one a few weeks ago, if I only would of had the money?

 

[enjetek]

you only live once.....get it!!!

 

[jnc914]

Pacific Island Aquatics has a 2" X-mas Island Juvenile Emperor available also. I think it is $225. I have been told there is no guarantee that the juvi's will have the same coloration as an adult that already has the vibrant coloration. I would still give i a try at that price.

The one that Lawrence has pictured above is absolutely beautiful.

 

[alton]

Pacific Island Aquatics has a 2" X-mas Island Juvenile Emperor available also. I think it is $225. I have been told there is no guarantee that the juvi's will have the same coloration as an adult that already has the vibrant coloration. I would still give i a try at that price.

The one that Lawrence has pictured above is absolutely beautiful.

Can you imagine if it turned out to look like the one they had a few weeks ago (A nice Gamble)

 

[SDguy]

Pacific Island Aquatics has a 2" X-mas Island Juvenile Emperor available also. I think it is $225. I have been told there is no guarantee that the juvi's will have the same coloration as an adult that already has the vibrant coloration. I would still give i a try at that price.

The one that Lawrence has pictured above is absolutely beautiful.

I've also read that people have a tough time keeping that orange tail long term in captivity...

 

[Rea17]

I've also read that people have a tough time keeping that orange tail long term in captivity...

Same, I've read this several times. In the case of the emp it seems like an environmental color difference, rather than a regional color variation (like the regal). People who are claiming XMI to be much better color, how long have you had your specimens in captivity?

 

[bullitr]

It needs a lot sponges to maintain their color the bright red/orange tail in my opinion but Xmas is still bright after few months that I have it. I sold my largest one because its a super bully.

 

[alton]

I think the food available on the market today is much better than 10 years ago. It seems like when I add a juvenile fish today, they grow so much faster than in the past.

 

[bobkill]

Thanks for all the post guys- we are in the air on a TINY queen or tiny emp- girl wants queen I want emp or captive maze- so just researching- we sold off our blue face so tiny to re start