The local fish stores of Japan are once again in the spotlight as they chaperon a new batch of very unusual Centropyge pygmy angelfish. The fish shown above is a very unusual dwarf angel brought in by B-Box Japan. We’re not sure what it is, but one thing for sure is that it is either a hybrid or an aberration to the standard Centropyge heraldi angelfish. The little black edge on the dorsal fin is a common trait seen in Fijian variants of the Herald’s angelfish, but what’s interesting to note is the little blue crown on the nape that resembles the bicolor angelfish.
If it is indeed a bicolor angelfish x heraldi hybrid, then the lack of obvious bicolor angelfish traits besides that little blue crown on the nape and the blue coloration on the anal fin leaves much to ponder about. What do you think it is? Perhaps this unusual pygmy angelfish could give you some inspiration. If you think that we’re stopping at the mystery Centropyge pictured above, we’ve got a few more noteworthy pygmy angelfish after the break.
Joining the mystery fish above is this very well known morph to the regular Flame angelfish. This rare aberration where the black bars are colored red instead, has been seen before, albeit rarely. It is not known if the fish will retain the spectacular colors displayed here, but most accounts of these fish states that coloration will revert either partially, or completely back to the regular black striped beauty that we all so commonly encounter. This morph of the flame angelfish looks similar to the very rare and unobtainable Marquesan endemic variant, where all forms of stripes are absent except for the first black one.
The entourage of rare Centropyges continue with this amazing ultra lemonpeel angelfish hybrid. The Squiggly lines on the body is a reminder to the amazing “Scribbled lemonpeel” angelfish that Reborn Aquarium from Singapore brought in last year. The sheer beauty of the hybrid will be amplified with proper reef tank lightings and settings.
Although hybrid lemonpeel angelfishes are common,ultra hybrids are just another story. The incredible markings on this individual is mesmerizing to say the least. Rarely do lemonpeel and vrolicki hybrids offer so much blue coloration or squiggles and stripes. These traits most often dictate a more complicated lineage involving other hybrids and variations of the hybrid offsprings.
Regular pure breed lemonpeel and vrolicki parents rarely, or perhaps do not produce such dramatic hybrid babies. Ending off the menagerie of rare Centropyge is this lovely Mauritian coral beauty. The pronounced tiger like stripes and the tiger tail is the claim to fame for this fish. Although a familiar sight to Japanese fish stores, the Mauritian coral beauty is, and still remains, a rare fish to most other parts of the globe.
