Prettier then a gem tang

shoelaceike · Apr 18, 2016

So this is as nice if not nicer then a gem tang....it's one of the hardiest fish and is a fraction of the cost of a gem so how come it's not more popular?

NeuroticAquatics · Apr 18, 2016

I think it's two things. First, they don't come out much, so you are buying a reclusive fish. Second, I think a lot of "popularity" is rarity and price. If these were $700 and hard to find, I bet they'd have more of a buzz. I've considered getting one, but the first issue has always stopped me. They are stunning.

redfishbluefish · Apr 18, 2016

Because there are those that get their high off of spending the most for fish and coral. It's not necessarily the look....well, it is, the look they get when they show off their high priced fish and corals.

FDAWG · Apr 18, 2016

"Gotta Pay To Play"

garra671 · Apr 18, 2016

shoelaceike said:
So this is as nice if not nicer then a gem tang....it's one of the hardiest fish and is a fraction of the cost of a gem so how come it's not more popular?

What kind of fish is that exactly? A trigger? I can't tell the face from tail.

LE0 · Apr 18, 2016

garra671 said:
What kind of fish is that exactly? A trigger? I can't tell the face from tail.

its a Marine Beta

NYAquatic · Apr 18, 2016

It will also eat smaller fish

tj w · Apr 18, 2016

I Agee with the statement above. I've had one before and it was the most reclusive fish ever. I hardly ever got to see it. Also they are a lot more available than gems for sure

Lionfish Lair · Apr 18, 2016

NYAquatic said:
It will also eat smaller fish

and shrimp....

They need calmer tankmates. Can eat some tankmates. Need lower lighting. Hides a LOT. Can't deal with aggressive eaters....... there's a lot of reasons why they aren't as popular, money not really being the one that jumps to my mind.

sc50964 · Apr 18, 2016

It is a beautiful fish and I've owned a 6" adult in the past. It doesn't move much and it's nocturnal by nature so it will take a while for you to see him regularly during your viewing time. When he does come out and is in full display of his fins, I agree with you that he is indeed as pretty as a Gem tang. Unfortunately, he just doesn't have the motion and speed that many reef enthusiasts look for in their reef tank. To me, it's kind of nice to have a semi stationary polka dot ornamental fish in the background of a reef.

The other thing that make him less popular is its predator mentality in hunting for small fish and shrimps. It's mimics the hunting skills of an eel and that works well with its slow lurking motion, but when it does strike, it reminds of me how a grouper eats. Quite awesome IMO.

shoelaceike · Apr 18, 2016

NeuroticAquatics said:
I think it's two things. First, they don't come out much, so you are buying a reclusive fish. Second, I think a lot of "popularity" is rarity and price. If these were $700 and hard to find, I bet they'd have more of a buzz. I've considered getting one, but the first issue has always stopped me. They are stunning.

Ya they are reclusive.... It's a shame

shoelaceike · Apr 18, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
and shrimp....

They need calmer tankmates. Can eat some tankmates. Need lower lighting. Hides a LOT. Can't deal with aggressive eaters....... there's a lot of reasons why they aren't as popular, money not really being the one that jumps to my mind.

Maybe very small fish....bur they do hide a lot

shoelaceike · Apr 18, 2016

sc50964 said:
It is a beautiful fish and I've owned a 6" adult in the past. It doesn't move much and it's nocturnal by nature so it will take a while for you to see him regularly during your viewing time. When he does come out and is in full display of his fins, I agree with you that he is indeed as pretty as a Gem tang. Unfortunately, he just doesn't have the motion and speed that many reef enthusiasts look for in their reef tank. To me, it's kind of nice to have a semi stationary polka dot ornamental fish in the background of a reef.

The other thing that make him less popular is its predator mentality in hunting for small fish and shrimps. It's mimics the hunting skills of an eel and that works well with its slow lurking motion, but when it does strike, it reminds of me how a grouper eats. Quite awesome IMO.

Lol I have both now and haven't lost any shrimp....

Lionfish Lair · Apr 18, 2016

I've seen them eat shrimp.

I love these guys and have plans to add one to my 210g. My tank is perfect for one.

sc50964 · Apr 18, 2016

shoelaceike said:
Lol I have both now and haven't lost any shrimp....

U must have gotten a vegan.

eatbreakfast · Apr 18, 2016

I have a pr with peppermint, cleaner and blood shrimp without issues, and have had them with barnacle blennies and other small fish, so not sure how 'predatory' they are.

They also become a lot less reclusive as time goes on. For the firat two months in my dt I didn't see them at all, I thought they had died. Then slowly but surely they came out more and more. While never the most outgoing they are always visible.

The eel mimicry is Batesian mimicry of a particular Gymnothorax species, and is done when threatened.