According to Kiyoshi Endoh in his book Angelfishes of the World; published 2007
"Holacanthus limbaughi is observed around Clipperton Island far offshore of Mexico . The body color of adult Holacanthus limbaughi is a dull blue-grey. The most colorful period is juveniles that are essentially a blue variant of Holacanthus passer."
"Blue passer" , the Mexican term for the fish was claerly indicated on our boxes along with the fish counts.
The fish was declared and accounted for but they didn't accept the blue passer declaration.
The commercial shipment of fish arrived in broad daylight on Alaska Airlines and was inspected as expected by USFWS as always.
"Descretion and leeway" could be given, apparently is was not.
My most appeciated pm so far is " thanks for sticking your neck and to try and make this fish availble to the hobby."
This was the most amazing and thrilling expedition of my life. It will be hard to beat.
We must find fish in the sea....not in books or the internet. This is a far different and more expensive, risky and dangerous thing to do.
We were so excited and exhausted and never thought it would go down this way on this non CITES, non ESA, non IUCN, fish.
I had expected a different kind of homecoming. It makes one feel that we should step back from the edge and just play safe all the time.
This may have a big effect on the possibility of going after rare [ but locally abundant ] fishes in the future.
The "mis-declaration on the name " is the sticking point and things are still pending.
Ahh, but what an adventure.
Whale sharks, real sharks, giant mantas, turtles, whales, huge lobster and I was witness to a dozen hours of observing the behavior of the H. limbaughi.
They took the fish away but the experience will alway be there. I'm 56 now and can still give those younger divers a battle. sigh...
Sincerely, Steve
