by AquaNerd | Nov 20, 2013 | Fish, Science
Every once in a while, an aquarium livestock retailer really loads up on the goods. Such is the case for Pacific Island Aquatics, who happen to have a rather impressive smorgasbord of really rare fish at this very moment. Other than the usual offering of several Hawaiian endemics, such as the bandit angelfish and the Hawaiian variant of the flame angel, PIA also has a pair of Chaetodon tinkeri butterflyfish, a pair of Cirrhilabrus earlei wrasse, a pair of Karen Brittain’s famous captive bred Amphiprion latezonatus clownfish, and the icing on the cake, a Dr. Seuss soapfish (Belonoperca pylei). With the exception of the soapfish, all of these rare gems are still listed as available on the PIA website. The soapfish hasn’t been listed as of yet, as the crew at Pacific Island Aquatics wants to take extra precautions with this individual. After all, these odd looking fish usually sell for $4000-5000 per, though we don’t have word yet on what this individual will fetch. This isn’t the first time that Pacific Island Aquatics has gotten their mitts on one of these extremely rare soapfish by AquaNerd | Nov 11, 2013 | Fish, Science
Photo Credit: AquaSD via Reef2Reef The Dr. Seuss Soapfish (Belonoperca pylei) is one of the rarest and most unique looking fish to ever enter the aquarium trade. The odd shaped head and bright coloration really make the species stand apart from just about everything else. Only a handful have trickled into the hobby over the past few years, and the crew at AquaSD has a pair in stock right now. Recently posted on their forum over on Reef2Reef, the fish have been in the United States for a little more than a week and both have been treated like rock stars. They have each been given dips (we presume freshwater to kill any potential parasites), and they are both reportedly eating like little piggies. To further ensure their longevity, AquaSD won’t actually let either go until they are comfortable that the two fish are in the best health and have adapted fully to the captive life. Even though the fish will be staying in San Diego a little longer, the line of potential buyers for the Dr. Seuss Soapfish will undoubtedly grow significantly as the days go by
