Yeah…we’ve know about this one for a year, and yes, they kept it on the down-low from the general public. Casually mentioned within ORA’ s announcement of the first captive-breeding of Priolepsis cincta, is the “oh by the way” recognition of their success with Pseudoplesiops wassi. I personally don’t know why, but sometimes companies just do that. This is a small and not-in-high-demand Dottyback species whose official common name is the “Fleckfin Dottyback”. Aquarists are probably more familiar with more desirable relatives like P. rosea, called the Rose Island Dottyback, and the relatively commonly available Hidden Dottyback, P. typus. Sadly, given the “it’s almost not worth mentioning” stance on their production of this Dottyback species, it probably is not going to show up on ORA availability lists.
O-‘By-The-Way’-RA: Did you notice the OTHER new captive bred fish?
Matt Pedersen
Matt Pedersen is an interactive software developer and part-time fly fishing guide originally from Chicago, IL and current living in Duluth, MN, USA. Additionally, Matt has experience as a professional orchid breeder and certified fly rod builder. Matt has been a marine aquarist for 23 years, and an aquarist for 28+. After spending time on every side of the aquarium industry (retail, commercial and private maintenance & installation, wholesale, hatchery), he currently considers himself a "professional hobbyist". Most recently, Matt has currently spawned 22 species of marine fish, successfully raising 8 of them to date including one worldwide first (the Harlequin Filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris), as well as attempted another 6 invertebrate species to date. Most all of this was accomplished with less than 100 gallons of total working capacity, and all in closed culture. In 2010, Matt Pedersen was selected as the breeder of choice to work with the now famous "PNG Lightning Maroon Clownfish" from the SEASMART program, and chronicles the efforts to propagate this one-of-a-kind fish online at The Lightning Project. Matt Pedersen is credited with starting MOFIB (Marine Ornamental Fish & Invertebrate Breeder's Association) and writing for multiple publications including Coral, Koralle, Practical Fish Keeping, Reef Hobbyist Magazine and Reef Builders. Matt has spoken at numerous aquarium clubs and events from coast to coast. He currently sits on the MBI (Marine Breeding Initiative) Council, a project dedicated to bringing the concept of a unified Marine Breeder's Award Program to hobbyist organizations across the country and around the globe. In 2009, Matt was awarded "Aquarist of the Year" honors by both IMAC West and MASNA in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the marine aquarium hobby. Last updated October, 2010.
