Papua New Guinea (PNG) is home to the highest reef and marine biodiversity on the planet. After a few years of development and training, the first collection facility in Papua New Guinea has begun shipping to aquarium fish suppliers in the U.S. For now, only epaulette sharks (Hemyscyllum sp.) and Clownfish have been shipped to date but with increase in sales we should start to see many more species from the region. Clownfish from PNG are similar to those which are available from the Solomon Islands with many species exhibiting a darkened or melanistic variant, such as the pair of Amphiprion clarkii in the above photo. Once the shipments become more regular we should expect to see many more anthias, fairy wrasses, dottybacks and funky damselfish available in the trade. We can’t wait.
