Prognathodes basabei, or orange margin butterfly, now officially described

Although known to exist for over 20 years and even referenced quite a few times here at Reef Builders, a new species of deep-water butterflyfish from the mesophotic reefs of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument was finally described today by…

Video updates on BlueHarbor’s Roa excelsa and Prognathodes basabei

It has been a few weeks since the butterflyfish demigods landed in BlueHarbor, and we’re pleased to report that they are doing amazing. We first caught wind of these fish while they were still with Rufus Kimura, and then again…

Hong Kong scores with two butterflyfish demigods – Prognathodes basabei and Roa excelsa

Apart from FOWLR dominated set ups and the typical over-stocked fish tanks that have fast become a stereotype there, the reefing scene of Hong Kong is well known for another aspect of the hobby – the ability to procure rare…

Prognathodes basabei and Odontanthias fuscipinnis make a stateside appearance

Although it seems like Japan gets all the coolest, rarest fish even if they come from Hawaii, Reef Builders reader JP is a determined collector from the Northeastern U.S. who has dedicated himself to creating the ultimate aquarium for rare…

Prognathodes basabei, the Orange Margin butterflyfish pushes the limits of how deep fish are collected

After ten years since the first time this species was collected, Blue Harbor has once again obtained the ultimate deep living butterflyfish, Prognathodes basabei. This Deepwater Hawaiian endemic was originally collected in 1998 and it was known for a long…

Prognathodes “basabei” in serene Kyoto

Once regarded as the former capital of Japan, Kyoto relinquished its title to the anagrammatic Tokyo in 1868. Today, Kyoto is known for its serene and tranquil landscapes peppered extensively with shinto shrines, temples and historical culture. This geographical icon of…

Rare Prognathodes geminus Photographed in Stunning Detail

It’s been less than two years since Prognathodes geminus was minted a distinct species from the other barred deepwater butterflyfish and today we have some of the first live images of this species in an aquarium setting. Collected by Cairns Marine…

Prognathodes geminus is the Newest Species of Butterflyfish

Prognathodes geminus is the newest species of butterflyfish from a genus that haunts the abyssal depths of the oceans. Closely related to Prognathodes guezei and P. basabei, the new ‘Gemini’ butterflyfish is so named for its very close resemblance to other members…

Opulent Osaka Part 1: Makoto Matsuoka’s decade old Prognathodes collection

We just got back from a three day trip to Osaka and if you’re a fish lover, you’re going to want to keep your eyes peeled and attention focused on this page for the next week at least. Japan as…

Prognathodes obliquus and P. dichrous are two similar yet unobtainable species from the Atlantic

The Prognathodes butterflyfishes are an underrated and seldom kept group of fishes that surely deserves some quality air time. While commoner species such as P. marcellae, P. aculeatus and P. aya make it into the trade from time to time,…