From CORAL

by HSCmember Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:06 am

Top Ten Most-Desired Marine Animals
From CORAL Xanthichthys-mento-600px

Crosshatch Triggerfish (Xanthichthys mento) topped the list of most-wanted marine fish.
Image by Matthew L. Wittenrich from The Conscientious Marine Aquarist.

CORAL readers dream in colors and species, according to early results from the new Reef Spending 2010 Survey. Holy Grail marine angelfishes and outrageously pigmented Australian Acanthastrea corals topped the lists of groups of most-wanted animals, with readers evenly divided in their interest in fishes and invertebrates.
The most-desired marine fish species among CORAL readers appears to be the Crosshatch Triggerfish, a reef-safe planktivore that can develop stunning coloration and may be kept in pairs in larger reef systems. This fish was recently featured in a Rarities Profile by Inken Krause in CORAL.

Among the readers who have taken the CORAL Reef Spending Survey to date, the Top 10 List of Most Wanted Marine Species looks like this:

1] Crosshatch Triggerfish (Xanthichthys mento).
2] Aussie Acanthastrea spp. corals
3] Rare Acropora spp. corals
4] Conspicillatus Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus)
5] Gem Tang (Zebrasoma gemmatum)
6] Candy Basslet (Liopropoma carmabi)
7] Scolymia spp. Large-Polyp Stony Corals
8] Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus)
9] Golden Butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus)
10] Red Saddle Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni)

Among the other highlights from the survey: The average estimated investment in fishes, corals, and live rock for CORAL readers is $6,079, with a median of $4,000. The top system reported has $60,000 in livestock, while 56% said their investment in animals and substrates fell between $2,000 and $5,000. Roughly 20% of CORAL readers have spent $10,000 or more on livestock. Read the full story...
The Survey is still live and can be taken here.