Gem tangs and Conspiculatus angels for sale – 03/20/08
Bob,
<Sean>
Hope all is well, it's been a while since our last conversation. Currently we have both Gem tangs and Conspiculatus angels in stock.
<Wish we were diving in the Mascarenes and N. Australia right now!>
I was wondering if you knew of anyone looking for these rare fish. Feel free to post my information on your boards. Thanks for any help you might be able to offer.
<Hotay, will do so. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Sean Stalter
Saltwater Connections
_alligatorkid@aol.com_

Mud Filters, Expensive Chaetodontoplus,  Clarions/Mexico Collecting
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2001 01:05:44 EST 
Hello Bob, 
I have several questions today. My first: what is your opinion and what have you heard about the Eco System? 
<Leng Sy's business? As in "Miracle Mud"? A strong concept, and "proven" technology... I use the same sorts of activity, applied principles in our experimental tanks, farm here... but not Leng's mud... too much money for my pocketbook>
My friend and I just built a couple (can't build the mud though$$$). 
<Ah... and for browsers, the link to this company is to be found on the pages of the same name on www.wetwebmedia.com and considerably more on mud filtration in a FAQ archive file there of the same name>
Due to some miscalculations, I built one suitable for an 80 gallon tank, but it is going on a 15 gallon reef.
<No worries. Can't be too big... the reciprocal is possible>
Next, my girlfriends 6 gallon Eclipse reef tank has a mantis shrimp in it. 
<Keep the first, get rid of the last>
I can only hear him. The trap to catch him is about as big as the damn tank. The only fish in it are a pair of tomato clowns. What can I do? 
<Drain, the tank, inspect the removed rock (watch your fingers!). Do this while the girlfriend is away... as a present/gift... Much better than the very real possibility of this animal consuming the Clowns... much more overstressing...>
Moving rocks is out of the question; it has done so well since we stopped messing with it. Last question: tell me everything you know about the Conspicillatus Angelfish.
<A beauty, and if purchased healthy, gotten to feed on formulated foods, fresh/meaty ones... can be kept for many years... In very large systems (hundreds of gallons). Pretty much all I know is stored in archives on the genus Chaetodontoplus on the www.wetwebmedia.com site. Oh, and I think Leng still has one... gorgeous, at his shop in Orange County>
I saw one today in a store in Oakland. No where have I seen a real price. 
They just say "call us." Well, apparently if you have to "call" anyone for a price, you will not be happy. The thing cost $1500, and was already bought. 
Is this a reasonable price?
<A bit high... Maybe give the mail-order/internet businesses a ring, check pricing from them (FFExpress.com is a good start here)... s/b able to find a nice enough specimen for $500-800 US>
I am intrigued by this terribly expensive angelfish. Many angelfish from the region are not nearly as expensive. I know it comes from deep water. I am actually very curious about the techniques used to catch deep water fish, if you can point me towards and article. The store owner also said Clarions cannot be imported anymore. 
True or not. 
Thanks a lot, 
Josh 
<Actually, as of last year the "ban" on collection is Mexico is off, and the few Holacanthus clarionensis that were coming shatteringly (is this English?) from points further south have been surpassed by Steve Robinson's efforts in "the amigo country".... see the article et al on Clarion's posted on the WWM site as well. Bob Fenner>

The scribble angel and Personifer angel
hi Mr. BOB,
how do you rate scribble angel and Personifer angel?
<Highly... if in good shape, put in large enough (hundreds of gallons) systems, with lots of healthy live rock (with sponges, tunicates to chew on, regularly fed... live for good long times... and are gorgeous, intelligent centerpieces>
and what is the best size to start with?
<About four inches overall length is best>
And if to rate them with passer angel scale up to ten what will you give them.
<Good question... six for survivability, nines for looks>
Lastly did you enjoy yourself at the Aquarama?
<Absolutely my friend. Glad it doesn't go on for more than a few days, I'd lose my voice. Bob Fenner>
CHEER!

Thirteen hundred smackers for a Chaetodontoplus Angel?!
Hello bob,
Just a few quick questions is 1300 dollars to high for a conspicuous angel?
<Thirteen hundred dollars U.S.? For how large a specimen? Yes, in my opinion, too much but for the most high quality, large, show specimen.>
Do they usually do pretty well in captivity?
<This angel does well when received in good condition, given large enough systems and foods...>
Is a 400 gallon efficient to keep them in their hole life? I just wouldn't want to lose a fish like this because of the high price?
<I understand and a four hundred gallon should do, unless overcrowded with other life. Bob Fenner>

Conspicillatus angelfish
Hi, I am going to get a conspicillatus angel off the marine center in a month or so. I asked them the price they said something like 1900 dollars. I was reading your faq on Chaetodontoplus angels and you said 1300 was a lot. Now that seems 1900 is a lot. But I want to get it from the marine center since there fish are excellent quality. But I was wondering if you have any tips on keeping them, what are there requirements, etc. I want to know everything you know about them. I may seem stupid in fishes, but I have much experience in keeping angels. Thanks!
<The price of such "show" specimens (with or w/o quotation marks) varies greatly... with size, country of origin, relative currency strength, availability... For such a large investment I would do a good deal of searching on the various BB's, chatforums re actual keepers of this species and its congeners... as well as asking the fine folks at Marine Center what their experience is with this individual and the species. What little personal experience I have is posted on WetWebMedia.com. You might want to use the Google Search feature for the genus, species there (on the homepage and indices). Bob Fenner>I was thinking of purchasing one of these angels for my 125gal tank. I was wondering if you had any experience with these and if you could give me a few pointers. also do you think it would fight with a dwarf angel? I have a true lemon peel and I love him and wouldn’t want them fighting. I didn’t think they would as they look so different and I have read that the larger angels and dwarfs wont fight. but they are a similar size but the Chaetodontoplus mesoleucos is a little larger. thanks in advance. Will C< They will probably be ok.  But the mesoleucos is kind of a touchy angel and there are many better choices.  If you do decide to get the angel make sure he is eating and interested in his environment.  Be sure to quarantine him! You can find more info here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/chaetodonoplus/
Cody>

Blue spotted angelfish question, Chaetodontoplus sel.  – 02/07/08
Hello,
<Hi there Rob>
As always, great site, use it all the time. I have a question about the blue spotted angelfish ( Chaetodontoplus caeruleopunctatus ). I have an opportunity to purchase this angel or a gray Poma. In your opinion, which has a better survival rate?
<Both about the same... "medium" historically>
I am no novice, been keeping salts for 20+ years and have had good luck with angelfish. In fact I have an 8 year old female swallowtail angelfish and a 4 year old majestic and I have raised emperors from juvie to adult, had a pair of coral beauties for 3 years, they even spawned once - true story.
<All three of these are harder to keep than Chaetodontoplus>
Currently I have a very healthy, fat, eats everything in sight Singapore angel.
<The best member of the genus>
I have had him for about 6 months and would like to try another member of this genus. I did read the info on your site but a more informed, personal opinion would be greatly appreciated.
thank you
Rob Mancabelli
<If you can secure an initially healthy, feeding specimen of either species, you should do fine. Bob Fenner>