Frank Baensch, Hawaii
Info
Despite successful breeding attempts (tank raised), Plectranthias helenae is still a relatively unknown deep-water species.
FishBase indicates a depth range of 110 - 168 meters, while the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species indicates 110 - 293 meters.
These differences make it clear that there is still a need for research on Plectranthias helenae.
Frank Baensch, who has bred the species with fertilized eggs in an aquarium, points out that Plectranthias helenae lives well hidden most of the time and does not swarm above the reef. Dr. Bob Goemans states on his site “Saltcorner” that Plectranthias helenae lives on substrates and waits for a meal to come close enough to be caught and eaten.
This species is characterized by a whitish body with reddish stripes.
Frank Baensch has been intensively involved with the breeding of Plectranthias helenae, and he has the great honor of the first successful aquaculture breeding of Helen's Perchlet!
Young of Helen's perchlet (Plectranthias helenae) were raised from wild eggs collected in the waters off Oahu, Hawaii, in spring 2015, with Artemia nauplii; the fish larvae took 31 days to rear.
The group of anthias consists mainly of small to medium-sized, colorful reef fish, which now comprise 25 genera and over 200 species.
They are plankton feeders that can also gather in large shoals to feed, while other species, including the Anthias, wait patiently and hidden on the bottom for careless prey.
Aquarists who lovingly care for their animals will see their Anthias perch spawn in the aquarium.
Plectranthias are usually reef-safe and impress with their beautiful appearance and appealing temperament. They are also able to adapt quite quickly to an aquarium and its inhabitants.
Deepwater species are not offered as often, but they are also very expensive due to the immense effort involved in collecting them!
Plectranthias helenae is an anthias species that is mainly only known from collections from Taiwan, Japan and Hawaii, where the perches could be collected in a depth zone between 119 and 263 meters.
Fertilized eggs of Plectranthias helenae are transparent, spherical and reach a diameter of 0.75 mm, all eggs contain a single oil drop.
When they hatch, the fish larvae are just 2 mm long (calculated here as TL, they start feeding after the yolk sac has been absorbed with a size of about (3.1 mm TL).
If the food and water quality are right and food remains are carefully siphoned off, the animals measure about 15.1 mm TL at the transition to the juvenile stage.
The particularly long pelvic fin rays of the fry are particularly striking.
Frank Baensch has succeeded in breeding the species from hatching to juvenile for 100 days, chapeau!!!
The larval phase of another rearing, that of Plectranthias winniensis, was significantly shorter and took about 80 days.
Etymology: The species name was chosen in honor of the wife of Dr. Jack Randall, Helen Lai Sinn Au Randall.
Our very special thanks go to Frank Baench for the permission to use the photos and the adapted rearing report. It is well worth browsing through Frank's homepage;
https://www.frankbaensch.com/marine-aquarium-fish-culture/my-research/helens-perchlet-culture/
FishBase indicates a depth range of 110 - 168 meters, while the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species indicates 110 - 293 meters.
These differences make it clear that there is still a need for research on Plectranthias helenae.
Frank Baensch, who has bred the species with fertilized eggs in an aquarium, points out that Plectranthias helenae lives well hidden most of the time and does not swarm above the reef. Dr. Bob Goemans states on his site “Saltcorner” that Plectranthias helenae lives on substrates and waits for a meal to come close enough to be caught and eaten.
This species is characterized by a whitish body with reddish stripes.
Frank Baensch has been intensively involved with the breeding of Plectranthias helenae, and he has the great honor of the first successful aquaculture breeding of Helen's Perchlet!
Young of Helen's perchlet (Plectranthias helenae) were raised from wild eggs collected in the waters off Oahu, Hawaii, in spring 2015, with Artemia nauplii; the fish larvae took 31 days to rear.
The group of anthias consists mainly of small to medium-sized, colorful reef fish, which now comprise 25 genera and over 200 species.
They are plankton feeders that can also gather in large shoals to feed, while other species, including the Anthias, wait patiently and hidden on the bottom for careless prey.
Aquarists who lovingly care for their animals will see their Anthias perch spawn in the aquarium.
Plectranthias are usually reef-safe and impress with their beautiful appearance and appealing temperament. They are also able to adapt quite quickly to an aquarium and its inhabitants.
Deepwater species are not offered as often, but they are also very expensive due to the immense effort involved in collecting them!
Plectranthias helenae is an anthias species that is mainly only known from collections from Taiwan, Japan and Hawaii, where the perches could be collected in a depth zone between 119 and 263 meters.
Fertilized eggs of Plectranthias helenae are transparent, spherical and reach a diameter of 0.75 mm, all eggs contain a single oil drop.
When they hatch, the fish larvae are just 2 mm long (calculated here as TL, they start feeding after the yolk sac has been absorbed with a size of about (3.1 mm TL).
If the food and water quality are right and food remains are carefully siphoned off, the animals measure about 15.1 mm TL at the transition to the juvenile stage.
The particularly long pelvic fin rays of the fry are particularly striking.
Frank Baensch has succeeded in breeding the species from hatching to juvenile for 100 days, chapeau!!!
The larval phase of another rearing, that of Plectranthias winniensis, was significantly shorter and took about 80 days.
Etymology: The species name was chosen in honor of the wife of Dr. Jack Randall, Helen Lai Sinn Au Randall.
Our very special thanks go to Frank Baench for the permission to use the photos and the adapted rearing report. It is well worth browsing through Frank's homepage;
https://www.frankbaensch.com/marine-aquarium-fish-culture/my-research/helens-perchlet-culture/
