What the heck is a Clarion Angel and why is it so expensive?

[scallopking]

Probably one of the most expensive fish I've ever heard of. Anyone have one - deep pockets you have my friend! I'm gonna do a search and see what I come up with. First I've heard of it until today.

 

[FOSELONE]

& theyre illegal to collect arent they ?

 

[scallopking]

hmm..not sure about that. why it's so expensive i guess, lol. sweet looking fish, adult especially imo.

 

[pookstreet]

Where did you see it? Now I am curious.

 

[nahtanoj]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/holacanthus/clarionensisfaqs.htm
http://www.thepetstop.com/showprofile.cgi?index=5104&cat=livestock.fish.angelsfs&loc=&listpage=1

 

[TheMysticReef]

It is a protected species from Mexico, and importing them requires going through some red tape and paperwork. However because they come from mexico, which is only a few hours flight away from LA as opposed to halfway across the planet like most fish, they usually arrive in pretty good shape and eat voraciously. heres a few pics from my phone:
juvenile

adult

or if those are too rich for your blood, how about a nice conspicillatus?

 

[bigian]

Read more about the collection process in the middle of Eddies, of Eddies purple monster, blog. Scroll 1/2 way down...

http://eddie-coral-adventures.blogspot.com/

 

[reef_doug]

They pop up on Live Aquaria Diver's Den once in awhile. Range $2499-$3000.

They are a protected species and require all sorts of permits and quotas from the Mexican Gov't for export (read between the lines, paying brides to officials!)

Nice link above to Eddie-coral adventrures.

 

[socaltropicalfish]

I saw a few at the wholesaler and once I saw the listing price...forget it !

 

[jon warner]

so funny... in the early 90's they were relatively common and about $150 at the wholesalers... came in frequently with crosshatch triggers and bluespot jawfish shipments.

 

[wishntoboutside]

great pics of the clarions. the juv is very pretty. i think the cameras where going crazy at PAF when people saw them. that conspicilats looked like it was on its way out. bad color ans such. sad. there should be some rule after so many inches they should be left in the wild. i was gong to show my pictures from camera but mine look horrible. there is a good thread in the Bay area reefers, RC about the guy that brought them in. in my opinion these are one of the most beautiful fish i have ever seen in person.

 

[dfladermaus]

Here is a good link as to how they got here and who is bringing them in. Also has a TON of pics.

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=80574&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20

They are endemic to one island off the coast of Baja. It is a 4-5 hour boat ride to a military island. My understanding was that in the 80's-90s they were collected so heavily that their numbers were threatened so the US stopped import. I guess they have recovered and are now being imported through legal channels.

 

[scallopking]

Where did you see it? Now I am curious.

Back couple years ago I did coral/fish reselling so I still get the mailers from the wholesalers. Got this one, wholesale price STEEP too.