Polleni Grouper

[Tarasco1]

I was wondering if anyone had any info on this fish, the epholopholis polleni. I saw one of these at themarinecenter, and was wondering if anyone knows if it keeps these brilliant colors, max size, stuff like that.

http://themarinecenter.com/polleni.htm

This is a pic posted by leerph on this site. He said that he's had it for about 10 months.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=2319408

Any info would be appreciated.

[Mark C]

Yes, they definitely keep their colors... One of the prettiest fish I have ever kept. They normally reach a max size of around 6" and make pretty good tankmates. They prefer a tank not so brightly lit since they are a deepwater fish... Which is also the reason the carry a pretty hefty price tag. And as any grouper, they like to have plenty of rockwork to hide in.

[Pete]

Youre info is a little off, the color actually changes as they age, more attractive as a juvenile. They also attain a size of around 16-18"

[FMarini]

you might want to check out fishbase.org
the fish in question is called Cephalopholis_polleni or the harlequin hind
According to fish base the fish reaches approx 43cm TL (18"). Juveniles are colorful and adult seems to become more dull (check out the photos at fishbase
All i know is they are $$$

[Tarasco1]

Thanks for the correction on the genus, cephalopholis not ephalopholis. I was wondering why I was having trouble on fishbase.

The pics at fishbase didn't look that bad. The biggest fish was 19cm, and it still has some good color. Top left side pic.

http://fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.cfm?ID=6452

I wonder if they're slow growers... It is a lot of cash, but I was thinking about setting up a FOWLR, and this would be a great showcase fish. Knowing that aquarium specimens rarely get to the max size written, can I assume that it'll only get to about 13"? Do you think that I could fit one in a 6 foot long 180 gallon tank?

[Mark C]

Well I have had one a few years now, and it has stopped growing at about 6". Here is a picture of it that was taken awhile back which was used for an article. Those other pictures don't do the fish any justice.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2003/feature.htm

[Mark C]

I am speaking from experience, as with pretty much anything I post... I know several other peope who have kept Polleni's as well and their experience is pretty much the same. I figure that anyone can type in a fish name in a search engine, but would rather hear personal experience when they post a question on a message board.

[Tarasco1]

Mark C - First hand experience is definitely appreciated, that is an awesome looking fish! If you don't mind, I have a few follow up questions. How many years have you had this fish? What size tank do you have it in? Have you noticed any aggression with tankmates? What kind of feeding schedule do you have it on? From what I've heard they're pretty hearty, just like most groupers. Thanks for the info. You don't happen to have any more pics, do you? :D

[jwm2k3]

I like it. I would get one if it were big enough. A 6 inch fish is a snack in my tank.....

[Mark C]

Tarasco1- I can't remember exactly when I got it... It was one of many rare fish that I picked up, but I know I got it in late September either 2 or 3 years ago. It's in a 180 gallon FOWLR, and no I havn't noticed any aggression... although the 3 other tankmates are larger than it. I feed it everyday, just a typical variety of meaty foods soaked in various vitamins and garlic. Yes, I would say they are rather hardy, but only speaking from the experiences of about 3 of them. Unfortunately I still don't have a digital camera, :rolleyes: so I don't have any pictures of it or any of my other fish unless someone else has taken a picture... which is the case of the article.

[mikefish]

How many $$$$'s?
Mike

[Tarasco1]

I'm posting about this fish in the General Reef Discussion, we'll see if we can get some more info out of people.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=309038

[Tarasco1]

Just an update, liveaquaria now has them for sale, only $600!

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1729&cc=1

[jwm2k3]

There was a time for me in this hobby that I tried to get real exotic fish, ya know, the expensive ones... I had $300 harliquin tusks, big money puffers, huge morays, etc. etc.

I currently am in the mode of keeping fish that Ive never had before. I have kept many niger triggers and although I truly love this fish I will not get another for my current tanks as Ive had them before. Ive had the piccasso, the clown, lions, etc.

I have been visiting about 5 or 6 different fish stores looking for that odd or drab colored fish. I actually picked up a honeycomb grouper for $20.00 that was about 4 or 5 inches at the time. I had no idea what it was and had never seen one before. This was about 3 years ago and now the fish is 8 or 9 inches and is my favorite fish of all time. Drab colors? Yes. Personality? WOW. This fish can change its color pattern repetedly as fast as you can snap your fingers over and over. It is amazing. Reminds me of an octopus or cuttlefish. Awesome. Twenty bucks.

Would I like a Polleni grouper. Yes. It certianly fits the 'Ive never had it before' category.

[Tarasco1]

Just another FYI, I finally saw one in person at an LFS (Tong's out here near Fountain Valley). It was about 3 inches, and looked good, although the colors were just a little washed out. 200 bones, which seems like a good deal from what I've read. It was moving around a lot, pretty active. If only I had a tank set up for it...