Looking for something rare?

I'm always on the hunt for the next rare fish, something that I haven't kept or seen in person or in print. With the advancement of internet the rare are few and far between. Just like with digital cameras, everyone is a photographer, instant gratification! I do realize though, even with all the technology, we no longer need the Thomas guide, no longer need quarters for pay phones. We can find anyone with a push of a button, and find out that they're ignoring you. Time is not more available., constantly people are running late and short on time!

Also on another note...chew on this. If western medicine is so great, and in the US we have almost the best of it for the past 50 years or more, how come we only rank 23 on the world longevity pole after many asian dog eating countries?

So I found another rare fish of the year, mastacembelus brichardi, only 4 pieces obtained, 4-6" No eyes, no pigment. Well, one had many black spots

What I've noticed with these hypogean fish is that some have no pigment, further recession. Some have some pigment, and some have partial eye and pigment. If someone can remember that article about this sink hole on Hawaii, that had only been around for maybe 100 years, and there are eyeless carps, mullets, shrimps, and livebearers. It does not take millions of years of isolation and speciation to take take place.

2011 Guilin goby collecting

New photos today

after a water change the fish come out to play, couldn't resist the photo opportunity!

Good read, off my chest reply

http://www.piranha-fury.com/pfury/index.php?/topic/167629-ternetzi-discussion/

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4975617#post4975617

Spinibarbus denticulatus

The Chinese Phoenix barb, the auspicious name very fittingly given to this colorful endemic barb from China. While looking very plain the first year, looking similar to any other Cyprinids, by second year, their colors come in and begin to have a red patch on the face, and red line running down the length of the body with bright red paired fins. The undertone of the body will turn green during breeding season. The males have an obviously larger anal fin compared to the females and stronger coloration.

Peaceful towards other fish, can be predacious towards smaller fish.

Max size: 30 inches

Diet: omnivorous, opportunistic, insects, vegetable matter, algae, small fish and shrimp

Water requirements: 40-90 F are tolerated, neutral ph to slightly over 7.

Availability: US-next to none

Kachek River near Kachek, Hainan Island, China

Kottelat 2001:41 [ref. 25482]). •Valid as Spinibarbus denticulatus (Oshima 1926) -- (Jin in Kuang et al. 1986:110 [ref. 26639] dated 1962 [sic], Chu & Cui in Chu & Chen 1989:153 [ref. 13584], Yang 1991:195 [ref. 13585], Chen et al. in Pan et al. 1991:141 [ref. 23876], Yang & Chen 1995:68, 150 [ref. 23555], Zhu 1995:51 [ref. 25213], Kottelat 2001:81 [ref. 25780]). •Valid as Spinibarbus denticulatus (Oshima 1926), subspecies denticulatus (Oshima 1926) -- (Zheng et al. 1989:167 [ref. 21202], Shan et al. in Yue 2000:42 [ref. 25272], Tang et al. 2005:77 [ref. 28199]). Current status: Valid as Spinibarbus denticulatus (Oshima 1926). Cyprinidae. Distribution: Asia. Habitat: freshwater.

I had these available for sell about 5 years ago, but sold them too cheap so not many bought them. Well now you couldn't buy one for less than a few hundred dollars!

Rare fish pet peeves

People always ask for fish that I don't have, and when I get them in they want something else.

People always want rare fish, but when you bring in something rare, they don't even know what it is, because its "rare"

People see rare fish and go "ooh and ahh" and then wait, what the hell are they waiting for? Then when they're gone, they start asking if the fish are available.

People tell you I want this and I want that, save this and save that for me, for sure, I don't flake., then some lame excuse...oh I had to take my cat to the vet. At least have the guts to say I jumped the gun, not sure if I can follow through.

People always ask for pictures, have you heard of google?

Even worse, people would ask me if these fish are compatible, what they eat, what size tank they need. Do a little homework before you buy something, and take a little chance in life.

Rhinogobius brunneus

Another interesting coloful goby native to Taiwan and Japan.

Bagarius yarelli "India"

This giant man eater, is currently 30" including the tail, born without eyes, but still can hunt with extreme precision! Its like a cave fish that the eyes have regressed due to the lack of use and developed "enhanced" capabilities to detect prey by smell, and feel!