Chaoti Wrasse

[The Beaut]

Heard a lot about this fish, never saw one in person. Cant say in words how beautiful this fish is. So far so good, eating well.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/009-8.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/011-5.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/010-6.jpg

[The Beaut]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/003-9.jpg

[tewkes]

wow!! I've never heard, or have seen one before. How big do they get?

[myerst2]

Very hard to find them available. If they are available the majority of them die during shipping and those that do happen to make through shipping die as well. That is really unfortunate because they are absolutely stunning. Other Wrasses in this Genus can all be rather sensitive to shipping stress and demand LR with lots of life, a 2"+ sandbed, and they are escape artists. The Genus is difficult and Choats would be one of the hardest of the bunch. T

[JazzZero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14519695#post14519695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by myerst2
Very hard to find them available. If they are available the majority of them die during shipping and those that do happen to make through shipping die as well. That is really unfortunate because they are absolutely stunning. Other Wrasses in this Genus can all be rather sensitive to shipping stress and demand LR with lots of life, a 2"+ sandbed, and they are escape artists. The Genus is difficult and Choats would be one of the hardest of the bunch. T

That about sums it up, even some of the ones that eat die within a week though im not saying that your will but your taking an expensive risk.

[AuroraDrvr]

Choats are really only found in great numbers in Australia, some have waifed to other areas, however.

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14519695#post14519695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by myerst2
Very hard to find them available. If they are available the majority of them die during shipping and those that do happen to make through shipping die as well. That is really unfortunate because they are absolutely stunning. Other Wrasses in this Genus can all be rather sensitive to shipping stress and demand LR with lots of life, a 2"+ sandbed, and they are escape artists. The Genus is difficult and Choats would be one of the hardest of the bunch. T

Absolutely accurate. I have given thought to trying this fish but I don't think I have enough expertise given their fragility.

[The Beaut]

I have heard about how fragile they are and that their survival rate is very small. I just have to give it a shot. This guy is nice and fat and extremely active. Eats quite vigorously, however it is picky with what it eats. I usually soak my food in aminos and vitamins for the corals. He actually takes the soaked mysis and spits it right out. The plain mysis he cant get enough of. So will be a wait and see scenario. I have had an ornate wrasse from the same family in my tank now for almost 2 years so i hope it does well.

[snorvich]

Good luck and keep us posted. Where did you get this fish? And by the way your tank is gorgeous!!

[iamwrasseman]

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww246/iamwrasseman/fish/choatileopardwrasse002.jpgheres my little guy they are tough but very much worth the effort!very beautiful fish you have there ,good luck !

[Bret61081]

Looks like it is doing great so far! Eating is always a good sign...Awesome fish! Wish I got to take it home!!!!

[SALT WATER CRAZ]

thats a new one to me, It sure is nice looking good luck with it..

[massman]

We catch choats by the dozens.
Usually found in seagrassy patches around 2m deep.

I can never understand why they are found hard to keep?

[iamwrasseman]

massman...~ pm me so you can send me a couple dozen please

[will16]

Beautiful. One of my favorite wrasses. I would love to try one one day.

Good luck and keep us posted on progress. Very interested.

[LisaD]

beautiful fish!

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14523711#post14523711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iamwrasseman
massman...~ pm me so you can send me a couple dozen please

Please put me in for two.

btw--what temperature are you folks keeping them in?

[iamwrasseman]

about 78 mine is in ,any suggestions ? i have just ordered two more ,they will be coming in on thursday and i got a good deal ,purchasing two they knocked off $100 .

[Ralph ATL]

if u haven't already, check out this thread here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=14513549#post14513549

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14527586#post14527586 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iamwrasseman
about 78 mine is in ,any suggestions ? i have just ordered two more ,they will be coming in on thursday and i got a good deal ,purchasing two they knocked off $100 .

That's going to be awesome with a trio. I wonder how they will fare in my tank with 72 in the winter and 76 in the summer?

[iamwrasseman]

hope all goes well, wow a trio i never would have thought !

[flameangel88]

Best of luck with them. I think picture is not enough we want video of the trio. :lol:

[iamwrasseman]

i just spent a zillion dollars on the fish ,now you want me to get a video camera also ? okay i will .you twisted my arm . i will be getting the two others on thursday so it will be this weekend probably !

[flameangel88]

lol Can't wait to see it.

[iamwrasseman]

wow now i need a movie camera !

[iamwrasseman]

really how do you post a film clip ? i have never seen one on RC

[bradleyj]

Photobucket will host them just like photos.

[bradleyj]

I'm jealouse of you . I was told I was getting one tomorrow, then my LFS owner emailed me saying the wholeseller had forgotten.
Yea right.... They sold it out from under him and me.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530425#post14530425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iamwrasseman
wow now i need a movie camera !

While you're on that subject...you wouldn't do them justice unless you capture it in high definition so make sure you ask for the best. Life is short so what's a couple of hundred more. :lol: :lol:

[iamwrasseman]

thanks for the photobucket idea ,i never knew . and i had 5 choati leopards sold out from under me a few months ago just before marine depot stopped selling fish on line . so your not the only one ,check with mark at bluezoo they have had a few reciently although they are a bit expensive but i had to have them ,someday i will get this needle out of my arm !

[iamwrasseman]

flameangel88 your killing me now its high def ! wow how about if i do it in 3D ? that would be the ticket

[flameangel88]

I must be behind the times and didn't even know they came out with 3D video cam. If your trio ever give you problem don't hesitate to ship one or two to me and I'll be more than happy to help out.

Real estate is tight in the tank till the summer upgrade ohterwise I would have gone in for one. There's a pair of hooded fairy on LA DD in case you're interested.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530670#post14530670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bradleyj
Photobucket will host them just like photos.

If I remember right photobucket has limitation of file size (that was about 8 months ago so I don't know if they upgraded or not) which comes out to 42-45sec video in my case and the longer vids I use Youtube.

[will16]

I think the size limit is 100MB. If you scale down the video you can post a pretty long one. Not HD. I think I have one posted that is like 3 min.

I'd love to see some video of these chaoti's.

[iamwrasseman]

i will do my best asa i get the other two which has been confifmed as of today for shipment to me thursday @ 8;30am .im ready and if they give me a problem 88 i will ship them directly to you if you wish .................................................lmfao !

[Rendos]

Here is mine.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/483225119_cjUEp-XL.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/483225596_sYX5Z-XL.jpg

Eating and staying out all day. I have 2 other leopard wrasses in with it...no one shows any signs of aggression. Wish me luck.

[massman]

How much are you guys paying for these fish??

[Rendos]

Price will all depend on the area you live in.

[tangobc29]

beautiful fish. the designs look like a koi fish

[iamwrasseman]

beautiful fish Rendos they are a bit of a challenge but worth it for sure ! the price of mine were as follows one for $250 shipping included then i just got two more for $400 for the pair . not bad when you take into account the rarity of even finding them . heck a single rombloid costs that much or more and thease are so much cooler and more beautiful IMO ! its better than a drug habit .

[Texsun]

Wow, prices have jumped! I bought a few over the past coulpe of years for <$100 including one from Bluezoo. Of course, none survived so maybe the more expensive ones are a higher grade. :)

Good luck with them and keep us posted.

[iamwrasseman]

i have extensivly researched thease guys and have found it best to purchase at the end of the australian summer .also qt is a no no put them directly into DT with live rock,corals etc .treat for internal parasites and feed feed feed them .yes they are expensive but much rarer than many liniatius ,rombloid,etc etc. so what to do but get one that no one has .we all can get a liniatius or rombloid almost any time of the year from many retailers but how often do you see thease choati's? nothing but net ! i will keep you all posted and i am dripping my two other choats right now so we will se what the future has in store for them .

[The Beaut]

Update pics, still doing great, eating and swimmimg around all day.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/016-7.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/004-8.jpg

[iamwrasseman]

awesome T B it looks like yours is larger than mine ,his body shape is more adult IMO .how big is he ? one thing i must add is that he looks healthy as a horse ,nice and fat ! what are you feeding him ? mine seems to like the PE MYDSIS shrimp the most ,he picks at the live pods and live brine but goes after the PE with gusto .hope the two other ones are the same good eaters . how long have you had him ? best of luck dude

[The Beaut]

Mine also eats mysis. Does not like brine and just spits it out. Mine is probably 4 to 5 inches in length. I actually didnt think they got this big.
Good luck with those new ones, i really hope they work out. Def the best looking fish i have ever owned.

[jefathome]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530740#post14530740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iamwrasseman
flameangel88 your killing me now its high def ! wow how about if i do it in 3D ? that would be the ticket

No need for 3d... come on... be serious!! IMAX would be great though. ;)

[achillesheel]

got one yesterday. i had tried them twice before and never saw the after the first night. but the new one is out and about this morning. 1st good sign

[iamwrasseman]

cool good luck and try to get them eating , i usually have good luck with live foods but my choati's dont go after the live stuff .and reduce their stress stay away from the tank if possiable and let them be for a couple of days .

[Project Reef]

I know of a person who is having great success with these fish. However, I have given up on them. It's too much of a gamble as it seems like 1 out of every 10 will live. With returns like that, it's not really a good candidate for captive conditions. I'm happy that the price of these guys has sky rocketed though, now people have much more at stake when risking these guys and won't just 'casually' purchase them. I've also seen some really huge ones, which turned me off to them. Small/Medium sized individuals are amazing looking though. Good luck with yours, I hope it lives 20 years. :)

[iamwrasseman]

thanks an honestlt i have never taken any animals life lightly reguardless of the price but i do know what you mean .i have spent more money on the live foods for thease guys than the fish themselves so i am giving it everything i have in order to get a couple of them to survive . admittingly they are better left on the reef for them to survive and have a long life ,we just rent and that is something that has always been hard on me .

[The Beaut]

Still eating like crazy and very active around the tank.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/013-4.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/002-9.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/012-6.jpg

[iamwrasseman]

awesome i have three and they are all out most of the day ! i do have a slight problem with one as he is bullying the others around a bit but its not to bad . i will be putting them into a larger tank this coming weekend and the change of scenery hopefully will end it all plus the tank is much larger .dude i do love you fish and its so awesome to see you having good luck too .you have had him for a few weeks now right ? what are you feeding him ,mine like the PEMYDSIS shrimp . they seem to like it more than the live mydsis and brine that i bought them .

[The Beaut]

I have had him for a few weeks now and he eats both PE Mysis and Hikari Mysis. Maybe one of yours is asserting himself as a dominant male. I would be careful if i was you with 3.

[iamwrasseman]

i hear ya ,im giving them some time to get chilled out and if he doesnt stop the harrasing by this weekend i will first try reaquascaping the tank and if that doesnt work he will have to go in my leopard community tank .

[iamwrasseman]

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww246/iamwrasseman/fish/010.jpg
http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww246/iamwrasseman/fish/006.jpg
heres my choati trio at last ! just getting settled in at last .

[The Beaut]

Still doing great. Its now the dominant fish in the tank. My purple tang used to be but got dethroned.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/015-5.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t57/THEBEAUT1/009-9.jpg

[HomeSlizzice]

Beautiful!!! Thats the first word that came to my head.

[Bret61081]

Glad to see its still doing good!

[WuHT]

glad you enjoy, but it's too koi-ish for my tastes