Peppermint Angelfish - Questions

Hi All

I have read a very interesting thread on the forum relating to the peppermint angelfish and from my understanding that there have only been 2 of them collected since Chip did, 20 years ago.

I know that Richard and Chip collected one each and those are the only 2 collected and that the one is being kept by a customer in Japan and the other one is at the Waikiki aquarium on display.

Knowing this I am aware that you need to be able to dive up to those depths of 300+ ft and certain special equipment is required such as a rebreather and those depths alone are extremely dangerous.

I am extremely fascinated with the peppermint angelfish and I love to google them every now and then and just have a look at the pictures. The strange thing for me if there is 2 in captivity, why are there so many different pictures of them?

I have been in contact with a company in Japan and they have the Peppermint Angelfish ( Centropyge Boylei ) on their stock list as well as the narcosis angelfish ( Centropyge Narcosis ). I have contacted them but the language barrier makes it so difficult for us to have a conversation.

On the website I found pictures of these fish and they are not any that I have seen on the web before.

Can someone please answer the following:

Is it possible that someone else could be collecting these fish?
Is it possible that Chip or Rich might be collecting and selling to a Japanese supplier? Has anyone else seen those images before?

I will keep in contact with the supplier in Japan and find out some more information.

If Richard and Chip are the only 2 collecting them, I pressume that there will be major news if a peppermint and narcosis manages to surface.

Please see the pictures.

 

Pics aren't working :-/

Those are very interesting questions, though.

Here's a bump.

 

Thank you. The pics I have attached to the actual body of the post. Can you not view it?

 

It usually is big news when they come up, but as for collection, you can scuba and catch these, I think Richard and Chip did the first time, but those types of dives require very technical decompression stops, which is also good for the first.
Most Places now have regulations AGAINST using rebreathers to collect ornamental fish. I think it is possible that other people may be trying to catch and acclimate these fish. I love them too. One thing I don't know much about is there range, I was under the impression they have only been seen in the deep waters of western Hawaii and are relativity rare there. With Hawaii's tightening regulations I think it makes sense to try can capture a couple of these guys if in case they become fully protected.
Anyway, good luck in acquiring one and if you do hopefully you will share your peppermint through a thread here on 3reef! This is going in my 400g someday with my school of gem tangs, but until then good hunting sir!

Edit, turns out I was wrong. They are all over the Western Pacific. Tons of videos this year in places like the cook islands etc.

 

Also: Video update on Waikiki’s newest Peppermint Angelfish, maybe more on the way

 

You should contact Copps on Reef Central, the go-to-man for all things Angel.

 

your pics are directly from reef central maybe why they wont show up. Secondly it is a very beautiful fish, but not worth the price tag. Seeing as none have really been sold(donated to a public aquarium for research) have had offers of $30,000 for the fish. Fish such as these should be left in the ocean or if in captivity at least a public aquarium.

 

Bump
Five live peppermint Angelfish make their way to Blue Harbor Japan
Nows your chance to own one. Prolly going to sell lightning fast.

 

No way they'll leave Japan. Selling for $20K each.

 

sadly I feel your right. But it's awesome to see these very rare specimens become more available to the super rich elite of this hobby, Hopefully one day I can take a second mortgage out to buy one of these.