Oddities and Rarities: Our Favorite Exotic Saltwater Fish at Absolutely Fish
By Anna Mariano
After working in the marine fish department at Absolutely Fish for over six years, some of the unique fish that we bring in have become some of my favorites. At Absolutely Fish, we champion conservation efforts and education on the proper care of the many fish that we sell. We also pride ourselves on showcasing rare and exotic fish that are hard to find in the aquarium hobby. We believe keeping and showing people these wonderful fish will inspire younger generations to conserve and appreciate these animals in their natural environments. Working with marine fish at Absolutely Fish, I truly find the exotic fish listed below to be absolutely awe-inspiring. These fish deserve to be featured all on their own. It is the highlight of my day when someone comes into the store and gets super excited about these rare, unique, interesting, and exotic fish.
1. Big Eye Catalufa (Pristigenys serrula)
The Big Eye Catalufa has become one of my “all-time” favorite fish. Their striking red coloration cannot be beat, and it is sure to make them stand out in any fish-only or FOWLR aquarium. The Big Eye Catalufa can be found along the Eastern Pacific, ranging from the coasts of California to Peru. One of the unique aspects of this fish is its big eyes, thus the name. Its big eyes are an adaptation for this fish’s deep-water habitat and nocturnal behavior; because of this, they prefer dim lighting in the aquarium. Both of these characteristics, big eyes and red coloration, make the Big Eye Catalufa perfectly adapted to the dark depths of the ocean.
2. Blue Blanquillo (Malacanthus latovittatus)
The Blue Blanquillo is a unique tilefish due to its interesting behavior. This fish can be found above sandy substrates near outer-reef slopes in the Indo-Pacific. Their iridescent blue color with a contrasting black horizontal stripe running along the body makes them an attractive fish to keep in larger fish-only or FOWLR aquariums. The way they swim can be described as “graceful,” as they hover over the sandbed searching for crustacean prey. As the Blue Blanquillo swims or hovers, its head remains still while its body undulates from side to side. This fish moves substrate with its mouth and body to excavate burrows in the sand. This behavior is truly interesting to watch, as they will constantly move sand around the aquarium to create the perfect burrow to reside in.
3. Trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus)
The Trumpetfish is a true “oddball” fish. They have an elongate, tubular body with a long snout and a protruding barbell on the lower jaw, making them truly interesting to look at. This fish originates around reefs in the Caribbean, where it can be found swimming snout-down amongst gorgonians. They also utilize chromatophores, which are specialized cells that allow the Trumpetfish to change color to blend into their environment. These traits are extremely helpful for the “lie-in-wait” predator. Another interesting behavior the Trumpetfish displays in the wild is that they will swim alongside large fish to sneak up on prey. It is a treat to watch them feed in the home aquarium.
4. Neptune Grouper (Cephalopholis igarashiensis)
The Neptune Grouper is a rare “holy grail” fish sought out by many saltwater enthusiasts. This is a fish we just brought into the store this year, and the entire staff was excited to see this amazing fish. The Neptune Grouper is super rare as it inhabits deep waters in the Tropical Pacific as low as 260 feet deep, with a record depth of 820 feet! Fun fact: The Neptune Grouper was first displayed in a public aquarium in 2009! This fish is super vibrant in coloration, showcasing bright orange and yellow with vertical white bands. The Neptune Grouper should be kept in a larger fish-only or FOWLR aquarium with dim lighting and plenty of rockwork to feel comfortable. This is truly one of the most beautiful and uncommon fish that you can find in the aquarium hobby!
5. Swissguard Basslet (Liopropoma rubre)
The Swissguard Basslet is one of the most prized species of basslets. This fish is endemic to caves around coral reefs in the Caribbean. A deep-water fish, the Swissguard Basslet can be found in depths of up to 150 feet. Due to its secretiveness and timid nature, this fish can be hard to collect, making it a rarity in the hobby. This fish is beautiful, displaying a light pink-orange body, horizontal red stripes, and a black fringe on the fins. This is an awesome fish to keep in a smaller reef tank. The Swissguard Basslet is hardy and will eat all prepared, meaty foods. They will be shy at first, but will become more outgoing as they acclimate to the aquarium.
These are some of my favorite rare and unique fish, but there are many more that we carry that are all equally enjoyable to see. Look out for the “Rare, Unique, Interesting, and Exotic” stickers on the marine fish tanks to see the rarest, extraordinary fish that we carry when visiting us at Absolutely Fish!