I’ve always been curious as to whether there are noticeable differences in the availability and popularity of different fish and corals across the world. Does it vary a lot between Europe, North America, Asia, Australia etc. ? Are there any noticeable differences when it comes to how people prefer to do their tanks? (Bare bottom vs substrate, topless vs covered etc.)
As a Chinese reefer, we hardly get any fish from the Western Hemisphere (tropical Atlantic). The hobby here is in total maybe just approaching 15 years old, less than the lifespan of a Clownfish. We sometimes do get fish from Australia and the Red Sea, Maldives, or the Pacific Islands, but generally we don’t get frequent imports from anywhere but the Western Pacific / Indo-Pacific. Maldivian imports come in relatively small quantities.
For example, for many of you guys the Royal Gramma is a fish that your run-of-the-mill LFS will carry on almost any given day and it’s expensive. Here we get them sporadically (but by our standards it’s about the only Atlantic fish we get on a semi-regular basis, even then it’s not common) and for prices significantly higher than most Indo-Pacific species. Blackcaps are even more sporadic and cost over twice as much as a Royal Gramma. Other standard offerings for you guys like the Chalk Bass, Lantern Bass, Swissguard Basslet, Harlequin Bass, and so on. I have never seen a live Chalk Bass here. I have never seen a Lantern Bass here. Swissguard Basslets come very sporadically (very rare), and Harlequin Bass I have only seen on one occasion and at a fairly high price.
In terms of wrasses here many sellers sporadically import the Melanurus and Red Lined Wrasses (and to my annoyance both are listed as Christmas Wrasses, plus I had to see pics to make sure), I have seen H. Ornatissimus on 2 occasions and the Adorned Wrasse on one or two. Never seen an H. Claudia in person. Sometimes we do get H. Iridis from East African imports.
In terms of wrasses, the most frequently seen in my place are the Yellow Coris and the Six-Line. Fairy and Flasher Wrasses are imported from time to time but I wouldn’t say frequently. The Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse and Lubbock’s seem to be the most common here, among the Flashers it’s the McCosker’s and Carpenter’s. I have seen C. Rubrisquamis, C. Cyanopleura, C. Solarensis, C. Isosceles, C. Katherinae, C. Jordanian (from Hawaii, sometimes in pairs and sometimes as singles, very expensive), C. Lutteovitatus etc. and a couple others before but they aren’t overly common. Cleaner Wrasses are unfortunately a common sight and are some of the cheapest fish here.
Clownfish are about the only fish we get Captive bred on a regular basis. Tomato, Maroon (including Lightning and Gold Striped), Ocellaris, and Clarkii are the most common species and most are captive bred. The Cinnamon, Red Saddleback (Fire), Skunk (Orange and Pink species), True Percula, and Saddleback and Sebae Clowns are somewhat less common. We get both the orange and Darwin varieties of A. Ocellaris though the Darwin Ocellaris seem to come in a bit larger. As I want 1 orange and 1 Darwin, it looks like my Darwin will certainly end up the female.
As for Dartfish we get the Red Firefish and Purple as the most common. I’ve also seen the Scissortail, Zebra, and Blue Gudgeon on a variety of occasions. Helfrichi’s are offered fairly sporadically and at higher prices, Exquisite Firefish are labeled as “Indian Ocean Purple Firefish”, are sporadically seen and slightly more expensive than the Purple.
Angelfish, we get regular imports of Queen Angels, Koran Angels, Passer (King) Angels, Captive-Bred Maculosus Angels (from breeding facilities in Taiwan), Captive Bred Scribbled Angels (I presume from Bali Aquarich), Captive Bred Goldflake Angels too. I have seen some very rare ones like the Bandit Angel and the Clarion, both were of course too expensive for me to risk it. Dwarf angels we get Coral Beauty and Rusty on a fairly regular basis. Others like Eibli, Half-Black, Lemonpeel (not sure from which source), Golden, and Bicolor appear from time to time. Knowing better I avoid the Lemonpeel, Golden, and Bicolor though I have seen Captive Bred Lemonpeels on one or two occasions. The other species tend to be more rare. For the Pygmy angels sometimes we get the African Flameback and occasionally we get C. Argi and C. Fisheri or C. Flavicauda but none are commonly imported. We also get Regal Angels semi-regularly but they’re another fish to avoid for me especially considering that they’re the Indo-Pacific variety. Majestic Angels are another relatively common import and some are captive bred, but I wouldn’t want to try one until I’m an experienced hobbyist with an 8’ tank. Before the virus in the US was in full swing we regularly got Flame Angels, which I assume are often processed through Hawaii.
Tangs, we almost never run of stock for Z. Flavescens (I assume Hawaii is still collecting) and Blue Hippos. Tomini Tangs, Yellow Eye Koles aren’t too rare either. The really large Tangs like the Sailfin (I assume Indo-Pacific), Naso varieties are common. Sohal Tangs appears from time to time. Acanthurus sp. like the Powder Blue and Powder Brown and Clown Tangs are unfortunately a common sight. I’ve also seen the Eibli and Lemonpeel Mimic Tangs and Convict Tangs. Achilles used to make more appearances before the virus.
In terms of butterflies, none are that common except H. Acuminatus. H. Polyepsis has been making more appearances in recent years while H. Zoster is more rare. Klein’s, Raccoon, Auriga, Citrinellus seem to be the more common among Chaetodon sp. Falcula for some reason is more common than the Double Saddle (the latter of which is the hardier species). The Vagabundus is more common than Decussatus (again, the latter of which is hardier). Unfortunately a number of obligate corallivores are imported, a sight that I hate to see. I’ve seen Mitratus, Tinkeri, the Hawaiian Lemon, Burgess and Declivis a couple of times.
Just as unfortunate is that I see Moorish Idols frequently imported (I know they’re not a butterfly).
In terms of other fish:
Triggers- Blue Throat and Clown (most common)
Gobies- Yellow Watchman (common), Orange Spotted (relatively common), Sleeper Banded (somewhat common), Diamond Watchman (common, and unfortunate), others (more rare)
Blennies- Bicolor and Lawnmower (most common), Midas (sporadic), Starry (somewhat sporadic), others (more rare)
Lionfish- Longfin (most common), others (more rare)
Anglers- All sporadic to somewhat sporadic
Rabbitfish- Foxface Lo (most common, some are being captive bred if the seller’s claims are true), One Spot (somewhat rare), others (somewhat rare)
Cardinalfish- Pajama and Bangaii (most common, not sure if Bangaiis are captive bred), others (more rare, I have never seen a live A. Maculatus)
Roundheads- Marine Betta (sporadic), Assessors (all rare)
Puffers and Filefish- Saddled Valentini Puffer (relatively common), Bluespotted Puffer (sometimes seen), others (more rare)
Genicanthus Angels- Lamarck’s (relatively common), others make sporadic appearances and males can be hard to find
Generally I wouldn’t say we have a great selection of livestock. Corals wise most reefers aspire to keep SPS at one point or another. For me I’m content with softies and LPS for now at least.
Many people advise starting tanks with Tangs, and I see Tangs in very small tanks here. Infuriating.
I see an online seller selling captive bred Pilotfish, a fish that gets too big for the vast majority of tanks!
Bare bottom VS substrate- 50/50
Covered tank VS topless- 35/65
I have seen bare bottom + topless. Makes me cringe every time!
As a Chinese reefer, we hardly get any fish from the Western Hemisphere (tropical Atlantic). The hobby here is in total maybe just approaching 15 years old, less than the lifespan of a Clownfish. We sometimes do get fish from Australia and the Red Sea, Maldives, or the Pacific Islands, but generally we don’t get frequent imports from anywhere but the Western Pacific / Indo-Pacific. Maldivian imports come in relatively small quantities.
For example, for many of you guys the Royal Gramma is a fish that your run-of-the-mill LFS will carry on almost any given day and it’s expensive. Here we get them sporadically (but by our standards it’s about the only Atlantic fish we get on a semi-regular basis, even then it’s not common) and for prices significantly higher than most Indo-Pacific species. Blackcaps are even more sporadic and cost over twice as much as a Royal Gramma. Other standard offerings for you guys like the Chalk Bass, Lantern Bass, Swissguard Basslet, Harlequin Bass, and so on. I have never seen a live Chalk Bass here. I have never seen a Lantern Bass here. Swissguard Basslets come very sporadically (very rare), and Harlequin Bass I have only seen on one occasion and at a fairly high price.
In terms of wrasses here many sellers sporadically import the Melanurus and Red Lined Wrasses (and to my annoyance both are listed as Christmas Wrasses, plus I had to see pics to make sure), I have seen H. Ornatissimus on 2 occasions and the Adorned Wrasse on one or two. Never seen an H. Claudia in person. Sometimes we do get H. Iridis from East African imports.
In terms of wrasses, the most frequently seen in my place are the Yellow Coris and the Six-Line. Fairy and Flasher Wrasses are imported from time to time but I wouldn’t say frequently. The Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse and Lubbock’s seem to be the most common here, among the Flashers it’s the McCosker’s and Carpenter’s. I have seen C. Rubrisquamis, C. Cyanopleura, C. Solarensis, C. Isosceles, C. Katherinae, C. Jordanian (from Hawaii, sometimes in pairs and sometimes as singles, very expensive), C. Lutteovitatus etc. and a couple others before but they aren’t overly common. Cleaner Wrasses are unfortunately a common sight and are some of the cheapest fish here.
Clownfish are about the only fish we get Captive bred on a regular basis. Tomato, Maroon (including Lightning and Gold Striped), Ocellaris, and Clarkii are the most common species and most are captive bred. The Cinnamon, Red Saddleback (Fire), Skunk (Orange and Pink species), True Percula, and Saddleback and Sebae Clowns are somewhat less common. We get both the orange and Darwin varieties of A. Ocellaris though the Darwin Ocellaris seem to come in a bit larger. As I want 1 orange and 1 Darwin, it looks like my Darwin will certainly end up the female.
As for Dartfish we get the Red Firefish and Purple as the most common. I’ve also seen the Scissortail, Zebra, and Blue Gudgeon on a variety of occasions. Helfrichi’s are offered fairly sporadically and at higher prices, Exquisite Firefish are labeled as “Indian Ocean Purple Firefish”, are sporadically seen and slightly more expensive than the Purple.
Angelfish, we get regular imports of Queen Angels, Koran Angels, Passer (King) Angels, Captive-Bred Maculosus Angels (from breeding facilities in Taiwan), Captive Bred Scribbled Angels (I presume from Bali Aquarich), Captive Bred Goldflake Angels too. I have seen some very rare ones like the Bandit Angel and the Clarion, both were of course too expensive for me to risk it. Dwarf angels we get Coral Beauty and Rusty on a fairly regular basis. Others like Eibli, Half-Black, Lemonpeel (not sure from which source), Golden, and Bicolor appear from time to time. Knowing better I avoid the Lemonpeel, Golden, and Bicolor though I have seen Captive Bred Lemonpeels on one or two occasions. The other species tend to be more rare. For the Pygmy angels sometimes we get the African Flameback and occasionally we get C. Argi and C. Fisheri or C. Flavicauda but none are commonly imported. We also get Regal Angels semi-regularly but they’re another fish to avoid for me especially considering that they’re the Indo-Pacific variety. Majestic Angels are another relatively common import and some are captive bred, but I wouldn’t want to try one until I’m an experienced hobbyist with an 8’ tank. Before the virus in the US was in full swing we regularly got Flame Angels, which I assume are often processed through Hawaii.
Tangs, we almost never run of stock for Z. Flavescens (I assume Hawaii is still collecting) and Blue Hippos. Tomini Tangs, Yellow Eye Koles aren’t too rare either. The really large Tangs like the Sailfin (I assume Indo-Pacific), Naso varieties are common. Sohal Tangs appears from time to time. Acanthurus sp. like the Powder Blue and Powder Brown and Clown Tangs are unfortunately a common sight. I’ve also seen the Eibli and Lemonpeel Mimic Tangs and Convict Tangs. Achilles used to make more appearances before the virus.
In terms of butterflies, none are that common except H. Acuminatus. H. Polyepsis has been making more appearances in recent years while H. Zoster is more rare. Klein’s, Raccoon, Auriga, Citrinellus seem to be the more common among Chaetodon sp. Falcula for some reason is more common than the Double Saddle (the latter of which is the hardier species). The Vagabundus is more common than Decussatus (again, the latter of which is hardier). Unfortunately a number of obligate corallivores are imported, a sight that I hate to see. I’ve seen Mitratus, Tinkeri, the Hawaiian Lemon, Burgess and Declivis a couple of times.
Just as unfortunate is that I see Moorish Idols frequently imported (I know they’re not a butterfly).
In terms of other fish:
Triggers- Blue Throat and Clown (most common)
Gobies- Yellow Watchman (common), Orange Spotted (relatively common), Sleeper Banded (somewhat common), Diamond Watchman (common, and unfortunate), others (more rare)
Blennies- Bicolor and Lawnmower (most common), Midas (sporadic), Starry (somewhat sporadic), others (more rare)
Lionfish- Longfin (most common), others (more rare)
Anglers- All sporadic to somewhat sporadic
Rabbitfish- Foxface Lo (most common, some are being captive bred if the seller’s claims are true), One Spot (somewhat rare), others (somewhat rare)
Cardinalfish- Pajama and Bangaii (most common, not sure if Bangaiis are captive bred), others (more rare, I have never seen a live A. Maculatus)
Roundheads- Marine Betta (sporadic), Assessors (all rare)
Puffers and Filefish- Saddled Valentini Puffer (relatively common), Bluespotted Puffer (sometimes seen), others (more rare)
Genicanthus Angels- Lamarck’s (relatively common), others make sporadic appearances and males can be hard to find
Generally I wouldn’t say we have a great selection of livestock. Corals wise most reefers aspire to keep SPS at one point or another. For me I’m content with softies and LPS for now at least.
Many people advise starting tanks with Tangs, and I see Tangs in very small tanks here. Infuriating.
I see an online seller selling captive bred Pilotfish, a fish that gets too big for the vast majority of tanks!
Bare bottom VS substrate- 50/50
Covered tank VS topless- 35/65
I have seen bare bottom + topless. Makes me cringe every time!