Prognathodes basabei, or orange margin butterfly, now officially described

Although known to exist for over 20 years and even referenced quite a few times here at Reef Builders, a new species of deep-water butterflyfish from the mesophotic reefs of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument was finally described today by…

Prognathodes “basabei” in serene Kyoto

Once regarded as the former capital of Japan, Kyoto relinquished its title to the anagrammatic Tokyo in 1868. Today, Kyoto is known for its serene and tranquil landscapes peppered extensively with shinto shrines, temples and historical culture. This geographical icon of…

Pearl of The Orient: Mr Wong’s butterflyfish collection

When it comes to the rare fish game, there are only two players that immediately come to mind. Hong Kong and Japan. Together these two are undeniably the largest absorbers of rare fish, and have been consistently spitting out amazing specimens…

Video updates on BlueHarbor’s Roa excelsa and Prognathodes basabei

It has been a few weeks since the butterflyfish demigods landed in BlueHarbor, and we’re pleased to report that they are doing amazing. We first caught wind of these fish while they were still with Rufus Kimura, and then again…

Hawaiian deepwater rarities get an update: Butterflyfish and Aurora basslet legends

The recent expedition by Rufus Kimura into the Hawiian depths yielded some amazing fish. We’re glad to receive some good updates from BlueHarbor on the health and current status of these fish. The most unnerving part of all this is…

BlueHarbor gets ready for the ultimate deepwater Hawaiian collection

The contents in this container is worth more words. Koji’s latest attempts at stunning the general public with his amazing capability of obtaining rare fish did not end in futility. Nearly every popular Hawaiian deepwater twilight zone inhabiting reef fish…

Hong Kong scores with two butterflyfish demigods – Prognathodes basabei and Roa excelsa

Apart from FOWLR dominated set ups and the typical over-stocked fish tanks that have fast become a stereotype there, the reefing scene of Hong Kong is well known for another aspect of the hobby – the ability to procure rare…

Orange-margin butterflyfish video from Blue Harbor features a never before seen juvenile

Prognathodes basabei is a remarkable species of butterflyfish that lives in the depths of Hawaii and nowhere else in the world. The gorgeous orange margin butterflyfish possesses a unique beauty and the extreme depth in which it lives in makes…

New Butterflyfish discovered in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument

Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument has just yielded a new species of butterflyfish which appears to be very similar to Prognathodes basabei. The new butterflyfish was discovered by self professed fish nerd Richard Pyle using his signature rebreather deep diving techniques.…

Prognathodes basabei and Odontanthias fuscipinnis make a stateside appearance

Although it seems like Japan gets all the coolest, rarest fish even if they come from Hawaii, Reef Builders reader JP is a determined collector from the Northeastern U.S. who has dedicated himself to creating the ultimate aquarium for rare…