Monochrome magnifica, the almost magnificent fire fish

Somewhere along the primeval soup of genetic crossing and embryonic development, a magnificent fire fish decided to break free from the metaphorical cloning factory and decided to be different. The concept of massed produced factory clones is not limited only…

Aberration reversion of Ctenochaetus documented by Cairns Marine

We’re not unfamiliar to the sight of “xanthic-koi” type aberrants that plague various fishes. Vitiligo and other forms of patchy off-coloured specimens appear from time to time, and seem to be particularly prevalent in surgeonfish of the genus Ctenochaetus as…

Metallic green mask Cryptocentrus pavoninoides is a rare aberration on a common fish

Aberrations in fish are rare, but extreme aberrations areĀ seldom seen and almost unheard of. Over the years we’ve covered a heck load of aberrant and hybrid fish, but this one today is quite something. RVS Fish World just bagged a…

Rare fish throwback: Super aberrant and hybrid Emperor Angelfish

Here at the ReefBuilders rare fish department we have amassed a large collection of cool stuff that quite frankly, have been sitting around collecting dust. Stuff that are too outdated for a breakthrough post, but cool enough that we didn’t…

Secrets of the ghost anthias revealed in Sakayana’s dive blog

We’ve mentioned briefly before that the genus Pseudanthias, and anthias in general, are not prone to hybridisation and aberrations. Despite making their presence deeply felt by occupying almost every square inch of coral reef in shallow water, and even being…

Aberrant Koran angelfish from Cairns Marine shows off a wicked cobalt mask

The Koran angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus) may not be the prettiest Pomacanthid in the reefs, but they are by no means any less ubiquitous in the trade. This species forms many hybrids in nature with related members of its genus, but…

Aberrant one of a kind ghost anthias emits a spooky purple glow

Something fishy is going on in the reefs of Bali. Either a radioactive uranium vein is mutating the resident reef fish, or Bali collectors are paying special attention to aberrant specimens. It’s highly likely that the latter is the more…

Mysterious “Koi aberrants” are not exclusive to the Zebrasoma and Centropyge genera

Over the years we’ve featured a myriad of “koi” aberrations, which mostly seem to inflict large fully grown adults of the surgeonfish genus Zebrasoma, as well as the dwarf angel genus Centropyge. While not always aesthetically pleasing, from a genetic…

Xanthic Eibl’s Angelfish is a cleverly disguised impostor of the stunning Tigerpyge hybrid.

Crosses between Centropyge flavissima and Centropyge eibliĀ so spectacular and are simply one of the most beautifully created natural hybrids that a nickname has been coined just for them – Tigerpyge. The tigerpyges are usually collected in the Indian Ocean where…

Jimmy Ma’s private collection of dottybacks consists of some really cool species

Having the un-reversable aberrant Coral Beauty Angelfish and the trio of super hot White-Bar Anthias in his collection, Jimmy Ma is certainly no stranger to rare fish. If you think his aberrant C. bispinosa is something to shout about, what…