red fin waspfish identification

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rustix
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Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2022 12:29 pm

red fin waspfish identification

Post by rustix »

Hey everyone,

I stopped by ThatFishPlace last weekend and got lucky - they had a Red Fin Waspfish. I really wanted to bring him home but the price tag was a bit steep, so I decided to do some research before picking him up this Friday.
I've been looking for info on these guys but there's not much out there. Since this is the priciest fish I've ever bought, I want to make sure I'm prepared.
Has anyone kept a Red Fin Waspfish or something similar? I'd love to hear any advice you've got.

Heres a picture of the Male Red Fin Waspfish.
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coral8
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Re: red fin waspfish identification

Post by coral8 »

Did you end up bringing home the Red Fin Waspfish?

I've never personally kept this fish, nor do I know anyone who has. From what I've gathered, they seem to be quite finicky when it comes to food - apparently, they're not too fond of frozen foods. And, of course, there's the fact that they're venomous, so that's something to consider.
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rustix
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Re: red fin waspfish identification

Post by rustix »

Yeah, I got him on Friday as planned.

This time, they had two specimens - one was full-grown, about 4 inches, which was significantly larger than the original one I saw. The smaller one, though, was a lot more colorful, so I inquired about his diet. I asked the lady if he ate frozen foods; she wasn't sure, so she decided to test it by placing some frozen mysis in the tank.

The little guy slowly swam towards the mysis and then gulped down about 4 or 5 pieces, which was reassuring. Based on that, I decided to go with the smaller one.

He's doing pretty well so far - he ate a decent amount today, and he seemed to enjoy it. I'll post a picture of him tomorrow, so you can all see him.
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tetraTim
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Re: red fin waspfish identification

Post by tetraTim »

I've had the pleasure of keeping two waspfish in a brackish tank and they were ideal inhabitants. They were active in their own unique way and quite easy to feed, they'd hunt down pieces of mysis and attack them with gusto. I wish I had the chance to get another for my brackish tank, they were a delight.

Your Red Fin Waspfish seems to be a full marine version, but it's the same shape as the waspfish I had, just more colourful.
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rustix
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Re: red fin waspfish identification

Post by rustix »

When I was researching my Red Fin Waspfish, I mostly found info on a brackish species, Neovespicula depressifrons - is that the one you had, tetraTim?

My fish is a full marine species, and from what I've gathered, they're native to southern Japan to the Philippines. Initially, he was really shy and only came out at night, but after six days, he's now perched on rocks near his cave all day, eating a lot. I've been trying to find out what type of venom they have in their dorsal spines, but no luck yet - I'm guessing it's somewhat similar to a Lionfish's.

Sorry for not posting a picture yet, I don't have a camera other than my phone, which takes terrible pics. My dad's coming over later this week, so I'll get him to take a decent one for me.
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coral8
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Re: red fin waspfish identification

Post by coral8 »

The venom in their dorsal spines is probably similar to a lionfish's, given they're a scorpionfish.
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tetraTim
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Re: red fin waspfish identification

Post by tetraTim »

Yeah, that's the one I had, Neovespicula depressifrons. They're really cool fish and it looks like the marine Red Fin Waspfish has a lot more color to it.
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rustix
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Re: red fin waspfish identification

Post by rustix »

Got my dad's camera, so I finally took some pictures of my Red Fin Waspfish. Also got the new K2 Viper HOB Metal Halide fixture, so it's all lit up in there. My waspfish is thriving, loves to hang out in his cave, poking his head out every now and then. He's really taken to frozen mysis, now he even swims to the food, no more waiting around.

Here's him curled up after eating, pretty funny.

Also started working on my PVC project, got all the materials I need. Replacing the vinyl tubing that pumps water from the sump to the display tank. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.
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coral8
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Re: red fin waspfish identification

Post by coral8 »

He's adorable.
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