Tank status: 6mos w/pix

[Mabu]

Hi everyone,

Here's an update on my tank with pictures for your enjoyment... The tank (55g) was set up in February and is doing very well!

This is the newest addition to my tank - he replaced the Coral Beauty who wouldn't leave some of the corals alone. I understand this is a rare wrasse species - feel free to comment if you have any info on this guy:

Below are my Sun Polyps. I bought them from a LFS for $15 after I convinced them that they couldn't keep these guys alive and give them the attention they needed. After about a month and a half, I have them opening during the day and showing signs of growth (note the new, small polyps forming)

Here is my candy coral showing growth/reproduction - several polyps splitting into two:

My gorgonian:

 

[Anonymous]

Very nice. Keep up the good work.

Dan

 

[Toadally1]

Great job Mabu! I also recently picked up a sun coral. Question, how long does it take for the polyps to start opening fully so it can be fed? They start opening when I add food to the tank, but not enough to feed it.

 

[fishfarmer]

I'll take a stab at IDing the wrasse. From the book I'm looking at it looks like a Ocellated Wrasse, Halichoeres melasmapomus. Here is a partial description, "bluish to yellowish grey with a large reddish to orange spot on each scale; head with irregular yellow and blue-green stripes and a large blue-edged black spot dorsally on opercle; females with a small black spot behind eye, an ocellus on upper base of caudal fin, and three in dorsal fin; males lose all these except the caudal spot. Known from the island of Oceania except Hawaii and Easter and the western Pacific islands from the Philippines to the Coral Sea; also recorded from the Christmas Island and Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean; reported from depths of 20-55 m, but rarely seen in less than 30 m; often found on dropoffs or the base of such steep slopes. Largest, 14 cm." excerpted from Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, J.E.Randall, G.R.Allen, R.C.Stone, University of Hawaii,Honolulu 1996

[ August 31, 2001: Message edited by: fishfarmer ]

 

[Len]

It's a Pseudochelinus ocellatus. Originally thought to be endemic to the northwestern Pacific deepwaters, it's since been found in a wide distribution range (down to Australia). But because it's endemic to deepwater, it's still rarely collected, and thus expensive.

It's a super hardy species - as hardy as they come. P.ocellatus is seemingly immune to disease, and unaffected by all but the most severe chemical and physical parameter shifts.

It's a solitary benthic hunter (as most Pseudochelinus are). Feeds mainly on small crusteceans, and will accept just about any meaty/fatty foods you introduce.

Since it was only recently discovered (and very recently described), little is known about its reproductive cycle.

It is a very shy fishes, and I've never seen an aggressive specimen; in fact, it's usually the target of aggression. For example, both my cap clown and flame hawk harrass my specimen. I would not put this guy in an aggressive tank, and would always provide it adequete shelter (eg many caves and passages through the rocks).

Great fish, and great find! Congrats.

 

[Len]

btw, the largest size they attain is about 3 inches. On average, they're about 2 inches (mature adult).

 

[Mabu]

Very interesting info about this fish! I was told it was very rare. He's adapted to the tank very well, and everything you describe seems accurate - I'll update my descriptions on him and try to find out more. Do you know who first discovered this fish?

I was not sure if this fish was even ID'd so I was going to do as much research as I could and try to publish something and maybe help gather more info...

Yes, he's quite shy and nobody picks on him in my tank. He does come out when he sees me though. There's a Painted Fairy Wrasse in the tank that's about twice his size and the two of them get along very well. He also seems to be a somewhat timid feeder but he's doing well.. I'm going to get some better pictures because what I have don't do justice to how colorful he actually is.

If you have any more info, let me know.

Oh, as far as the Sun Polyups. I've been doing a number of things to get them to open up earlier in the day... gradually exposing them to more light and timing my feeding to get them used to feeding when it is daytime.

 

[Mabu]

Can you sex that fish from the picture? Is it female? (the black spot behind the eye)

Anyone know where I might be able to get another one? What online sites seem to be most capable of getting specimens such as this? Any ideas?