Jeweled Wrasses

[Breakthecycle2]

Does anyone have any experience with these guys? I know they are extremely rare, but that's about all the info I can find.

 

[Aquaph8]

I'd treat them like any other leopard wrasse. I'm also willing to bet they're only rare because they export from Mauritius

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I've read they aren't a leopard wrasse. Is that true?

 

[Aquaph8]

I've heard that too, I'm not sure where that comes from. Id imagine Hunter @evolved or TJ @eatbreakfast can address it though.

 

[4FordFamily]

I've read they aren't a leopard wrasse. Is that true?

I believe they're very close cousins and for all intents and purposes (other than scientific classification let's say) they're the same

 

[Aquaph8]

They're always listed as macropharyngodon though?

 

[4FordFamily]

They're always listed as macropharyngodon though?

Perhaps they are actual leopards. I have heard about differences but I cannot recall

 

[evolved]

They're listed on fishbase as a Halichoeres, but most agree that's a mistake and they are a Macropharyngodon.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

So technically, they are a leopard?

 

[evolved]

And in my mind they're not what I'd classify as rare; they're collection is somewhat regular when they're in season in Mauritius. The reason you don't see them often in the states is they're added on to largeish Mauritian orders because they'd be too expensive in a smaller shipment. It's simply expensive to get fish here from Mauritius.

 

[evolved]

So technically, they are a leopard?

Technically we don't know; they have not been sequenced (as far as I'm aware - it may have been done already; TJ would likely know).

They're classified as a Halichoeres, but we don't really believe that. Treat it like a Macropharyngodon (leopard).

 

[Aquaph8]

And in my mind they're not what I'd classify as rare; they're collection is somewhat regular when they're in season in Mauritius. The reason you don't see them often in the states is they're added on to largeish Mauritian orders because they'd be too expensive in a smaller shipment. It's simply expensive to get fish here from Mauritius.

Isn't it partly regulations though too? The Australian fish don't seem half as hard to get with exception of a few of coarse.

 

[evolved]

Isn't it partly regulations though too? The Australian fish don't seem half as hard to get with exception of a few of coarse.

I don't think there's a lot of red tape; not sure about any bag limits though.

The big cost driver is there's no feasible shipping line for Mauritian orders to come straight to the US. They all stop (and are held) somewhere in Europe first. Whereas AUS can come straight to LA or HI.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Everything Hunter said is right on about the care, supply chain and official and unofficial taxonomy. They still have not been genetically sequenced, it is amazing how small of a percentage of aquarium fish are not.

They do rarely get shipped from Kenya, where if you are lucky enough to find one, generally are about 1/3 the price of Mauritius ones.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

What is the price you've seen them for? I'd like to know before I give you guys the price.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Mauritius ones around $250-300, Kenyan, $90-$120.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Yeah this one is $300.

 

[akma]

My guy was really hardy. Ate everything. Wad only aggressive to my helfrichi firefish, but other than that was awesome and added great color to my tank. Here's a pic of my guy. Had him for a couple years before he disappeared one day.

 

[AJQ69]

That's a beauty

 

[evolved]

Even the teeth in that photo supports Macropharyngodon. :)