Cirrhilabrus claire; Claire's Fairy Wrasse (Cook Islands)
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I do have some new pics, but they're still un-processed on the camera. 
I've been in the moving process since the 12th; nearing the finish line now.
So at some point, I'll get them posted here, but it will be a few weeks.
I've been in the moving process since the 12th; nearing the finish line now.
So at some point, I'll get them posted here, but it will be a few weeks.
4FordFamily
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We need an update!! @evolved
Greenstreet.1
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Was just think about this
Zach Judge
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Do u have a forum with ur wrasse collection on it? And where did u start as a rare fish collector?Up until 2011, there were no live photos of this species (it was only discovered in 2001). Prior to it's recent collection at that time, all we had were the original holotypes. Needless to say, I myself was excited to see this species in 2011 (via Koji Wada, Blue Harbor Aquatics, Osaka Japan). But then it wasn't until last year (2014) a clear distinction was made; there are two variants of this species. It's TBD if they're actually separate species or not, and that may never be totally clear. But for now, we know the original discovery was made off the Cook Islands, and the other variant comes via Tahiti (with Rufus Kimura collecting them). The Tahitian variant differs in that the ventral fins are all black, and there's a strip of black at the tip of the caudal. Whereas the Cook Islands variant has red ventral fins, and the anal, caudal, and dorsal fin all have reds and oranges also present. (if you're interested, Lemon has written more about the differences here)
So I was completely aghast when the opportunity presented itself to me to purchase a specimen collect off the Cook Islands; it's been on my dream list for years. I purchased this fish via Diver's Den (DD) back in March (they had two). He (she at the time) was QT'd for 7 weeks, and has been in my DT since.
As far as I know, this is one of only five in the USA. Quality Marine (QM) brought in a trio last year which were sold to Elos Aquastudio in NJ, and then this one and another were brought in this year through QM and sold to DD. All of which have been collected via Chip Boyle's station in the Cook Islands. If the name Boyle strikes you as familiar, you may be thinking of Paracentropyge boylei - the Peppermint Angel. Chip knows what he's doing at extreme depths.
Yes, this fish was expensive, and I realize not everyone will understand the appeal. But given the history, the story, the allure, and the beauty - it's worth it for me.
This fish is currently a sub-male, for now...
DSC_3629 by Hunter Hammond, on Flickr
DSC_3626 by Hunter Hammond, on Flickr
DSC_3616 by Hunter Hammond, on Flickr
DSC_3732 by Hunter Hammond, on Flickr
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