The Bladefin basslet, Jeboehlkia gladifer, that is being offered for sale on consignment by Aquatouch is an incredible reef fish that we have never heard about. At $8000 and about 1.5 inches/3cm long, the bladefin basslet is probably one of the most expensive reef fish per inch that has ever been offered to the aquarium hobby.
Something about the stark red and white coloration greatly reminds us of Lotillia graciliosa, the white cap goby which at one point also had a very high cost per length, but the cost of that 3/4inch fish quickly declined from about $1000 to only about $250 for some well quarantined specimens from the Diver’s Den.
The reason for the incredibly high cost of this bladefin basslet is the incedible depth at which is occurs, which is in excess of 150 meters, approaching 500 feet deep. This never before seen nano reef fish was collected by submersible in Curacao which accounts for part of the expense but unless your reef aquarium budget is teetering on the absurdly oppulent, we can’t see this kind of coin being spent on such a tiny little fish, no matter how much the red and white coloration and depth f collection reminds us of a peppermint angelfish.
Thanks to Colin & Chris for the tip!