[carlc]

Lee and All,

Any opinions on this fish. I am maxed out with anthias in my 180 and am looking to start adding some bigger fish after MACNA. Can this fish be sexed? Can a group of two or three be safely kept together longterm.

My other interest is in Chaetodontoplus caeruleopunctatus if the melanosoma is out. It's a tough call between the melasnosoma and the caeruleopunctatus.

The only other bigger fish in the future is going to be a Chaetodon ephippium.

Thanks!
Carl

[leebca]

This Angelfish is very attractive, IMO. Without proper nutrition, the colors will not be bright/intense as they should be.

If you want to keep this fish, it will do well if you use a quarantine process to make sure it is eating and healthy before releasing into the display. However, it has a bit of an attitude. If you plan to keep Butterflyfishes, and/or dwarf Angels in the aquarium, you want to add them first, before this fish.

[carlc]

Thanks for the info!

A good 4-6 week QT is always done so no problem there.

Is there any known way of sexing either species? I am leaning towards caeruleopunctatus because I like the subtle but striking colors. I bet under mild actinic the colors really pop.

On a side note- Are you coming out to MACNA?

Thanks again for the info!

Carl

[leebca]

Regarding sexing, I'm not sure. The C. caeruleopunctatus has marking variations that could be used to distinguish between the male and female. I think the male has more pronounced lateral lines, whereas the female doesn't.

I do believe that the older they are, the harder they are to acclimate to captive life. Both are very shy and will need TLC in quarantine.

Not this year to MACNA. I will be presenting to the Seattle area marine aquarium group in October.