Yellow Assesor, wild caught or captive bred?

GoldeneyeRet · 09/16/2014, 10:26 PM

I am planning ahead for my next few fish, and a yellow assessor is sure to be in my next order. Should I go with wild caught or captive bred? Differences in color or behavior?

fishhuman · 09/16/2014, 10:33 PM

Behavior is the same and I'm not sure why you would ever want wild caught when there is the option a captive bred its so much better for the reefs

CoralsAddiction · 09/17/2014, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldeneyeRet

I am planning ahead for my next few fish, and a yellow assessor is sure to be in my next order. Should I go with wild caught or captive bred? Differences in color or behavior?

I read somewhere that the wild caught ones will swim upside down a little more than the captive bred ones. As far as looks go I mostly have the seen the captive bred assessors. Some look good while others are super faded. It might depend on the source. I would try to get one as yellow as you can.

kw22 · 09/17/2014, 01:15 AM

I would get captive bred.They will be slightly hardier and as stated above,captive bred fish are great for reefs.ALWAYS buy captive when you can,even if there is a big gap I price.

the808state · 09/17/2014, 01:21 AM

There is a misconception on breeding fish is saving reefs - Reef fish have a very fast doubling time. there are literally, millions of yellow assessors on the GBR... buying a wild one will not effect anything on the reefs as far as assessors go...

However, keeping breeders in business is always a good idea

reefwiser · 09/17/2014, 04:04 AM

In the future your only choice may be captive bred. So support the breeders.

A sea K · 09/17/2014, 06:11 AM

Have never had any issues with wild caught assessors concerning hardiness. I'm all in favour of using captive bred specimens but they just don't seem to have the vibrant colors that WC specimens do.

steelersfan · 09/17/2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A sea K

Have never had any issues with wild caught assessors concerning hardiness. I'm all in favour of using captive bred specimens but they just don't seem to have the vibrant colors that WC specimens do.

Agree 100%
There is no comparison in the brightness of color between the WC and Captive Bred. With this fish, I would try to locate a WC specimen.

Marshall O · 09/17/2014, 10:30 AM

I have had a CB one for two years now. It is always hanging out sideways or upside down, so I doubt there is a difference there between WC & CB. As far as colors, I have seen both in person, and the difference was not significant enough to make me want a WC over CB. I am in favor of CB with this particular fish.

Fish Biscuit · 09/17/2014, 10:32 AM

I'll be getting one down the road & I'm going for WC, the captive ones certainly don't have the same color & appeal, they look washed out.

CoralsAddiction · 09/17/2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Biscuit

I'll be getting one down the road & I'm going for WC

I would too. They are not that common anyway so the impact on the reef is practically 0 especially when you compare how many other WC fish are routinely offered for sale (6 lines, yellow tangs, etc.) don't know the exact ratio but it seems like a gazillion of tangs and 6 lines are offered for one yellow assessor.

38bill · 09/17/2014, 11:30 AM

I have had a CB (ORA) YA for a little over a year. Great little fish, always upside down or on its side. Freaks people out as they think something is wrong with it. I thought the color was a little muddy looking when I fist got the fish but he is getting brighter and showing some nice red on his fins now. I'm happy with him.

GoldeneyeRet · 09/17/2014, 12:16 PM

Thanks for the input so far, keep it coming.

I had a WC yellow assessor once and it was gorgeous. I have never seen a captive bred specimen but I have heard they are not as brilliantly colored. I also know some species are better as WC while some are better as CB. That's why I am asking about the assesors.

Thanks for the insights, I hope to get some more!

the808state · 09/17/2014, 03:44 PM

It could be diet as well for the TR ones. It could possibly brighten up significantly if you feed it alot with some fatty foods. Happens with most fish who look faded.

It is possible that Tank raised could be the only option in the future. If this is the case, the industry will collapse quickly, and there will be no reason to breed fish anymore... Don't get me wrong, I have helped many breeders over the years, but it is not a viable long term option for this industry. But that could change if it was the only option.

Either way, yellow assessors are awesome. I have one now that is the biggest I have ever seen at 3".

GoldeneyeRet · 09/18/2014, 12:31 AM

I am looking at a yellow assessor on DD and this is the third one in a row there I have seen where the yellow looks faded and the color in the fins looks pale.

I think Im leaning towards wild caught, despite the higher price tag.

Mark9 · 09/19/2014, 10:00 AM

I have an ORA, price tag was $89, but I got him on sale.
His colors have always looked washed out, barely a hint of red, just like the DD picture.
If you are looking for color, go WC.
He is always swimming sideways though, which is cool.

LA WC

DD ORA

rhdoug · 09/19/2014, 01:36 PM

The captive bred ORA fish are young, and have not reached their full color. I believe diet has a lot to do with color as well. Mine colored up just like the wild ones once he reached about year old back in 2010-2011. I currently have a couple of newer yellows that I added in Feb of this year, I am anxious to see if they color up as well as the first one did (before he jumped - cover your tank.)

nanoreefer1000 · 09/19/2014, 08:09 PM

I usually see CB ones at cheaper prices surprisingly, always go CB when you can. Shouldn't even be a question IMO.

CoralsAddiction · 09/20/2014, 10:02 PM

So I was at petco today to buy my dogs some treats and new toys. They had a tank bred and wild caught yellow assessors in the same tank in the fish section. The biggest difference was the wild caught assessor's orange line on the dorsal fin was way more colorful and distinct. The pictures above posted by mark9 pretty much resemble both types very well.

o2manyfish · 09/21/2014, 01:08 AM

I have 5 of the ORAs. Got them at the beginning of the year. Behavior is the same. Color is definitely not as bright. However, these fish do tend to like to hang out in the darker areas of the tank, and along the back wall. I don't expect their colors to get as bright as the wild ones I have kept in the past. And my experience has also been that the wild ones seem to get a little bit bigger.

Dave B

CoralsAddiction · 09/21/2014, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o2manyfish

However, these fish do tend to like to hang out in the darker areas of the tank, and along the back wall.

Dave B

Yeah, that's how they behave in nature. Check out this video. They are being collected in a darker area of the Great Barrier Reef: http://youtu.be/3PV2PF4Q15c

GoldeneyeRet · 09/21/2014, 09:09 AM

o2manyfish, how long have the 5 ORA assessors been in your tank? Have you seen any change in the color?

Thanks for all the input everyone.

o2manyfish · 09/21/2014, 12:42 PM

GoldenEyeRet,

I am not sure exactly. I got them since the crash last fall. I got them early in the restocking. So perhaps last November or January.

Dave B

GoldeneyeRet · 09/21/2014, 12:58 PM

Thanks Dave. It seems the ORA are typically less colorful, but I read mixed reports on how much, if any, they will color up.

It seems more people experience little to no color improvement. Right now I am leaning WC even though I believe in buying CB as a general rule.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed.

Marshall O · 09/25/2014, 10:53 AM

I can't find any good pictures of my ORA YA, but its colors definitely more closely resemble the WC picture vs. the CB picture. I still vote CB.

09/16/2014, 10:26 PM	#1
GoldeneyeRet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 236	Yellow Assesor, wild caught or captive bred? I am planning ahead for my next few fish, and a yellow assessor is sure to be in my next order. Should I go with wild caught or captive bred? Differences in color or behavior?

09/17/2014, 01:15 AM	#4
kw22 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Éire (Republic of Ireland) Posts: 435	I would get captive bred.They will be slightly hardier and as stated above,captive bred fish are great for reefs.ALWAYS buy captive when you can,even if there is a big gap I price. __________________ If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,it will spend its whole life thinking that it is stupid. Current Tank Info: All freshwater at the moment.Hoping to set up a marine tank in the future.

09/17/2014, 06:11 AM	#7
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	Have never had any issues with wild caught assessors concerning hardiness. I'm all in favour of using captive bred specimens but they just don't seem to have the vibrant colors that WC specimens do. __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

09/17/2014, 10:32 AM	#10
Fish Biscuit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,164	I'll be getting one down the road & I'm going for WC, the captive ones certainly don't have the same color & appeal, they look washed out. __________________ Michele I enjoy vodka entirely too much to share with the fish. Current Tank Info: 65 rimless with Eshopps R200 sump, current inhabitants randall goby, helfrichi, possum wrasse, barnacle blenny, mandarin, pistol, peppermint, & fire shrimp, snails, hermits, & LPS

09/19/2014, 01:36 PM	#17
rhdoug Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dutchess County, NY Posts: 897	The captive bred ORA fish are young, and have not reached their full color. I believe diet has a lot to do with color as well. Mine colored up just like the wild ones once he reached about year old back in 2010-2011. I currently have a couple of newer yellows that I added in Feb of this year, I am anxious to see if they color up as well as the first one did (before he jumped - cover your tank.) __________________ --Randy Current Tank Info: 58 Gallon mixed reef running since 1999, Super Reef Octopus Skimmer, 180w Maxpect Razor LED Light, August 2015 TOTM

09/16/2014, 10:33 PM	#2
fishhuman Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: LA california Posts: 647	Behavior is the same and I'm not sure why you would ever want wild caught when there is the option a captive bred its so much better for the reefs

09/17/2014, 01:21 AM	#5
the808state Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Honolulu Posts: 623	There is a misconception on breeding fish is saving reefs - Reef fish have a very fast doubling time. there are literally, millions of yellow assessors on the GBR... buying a wild one will not effect anything on the reefs as far as assessors go... However, keeping breeders in business is always a good idea

09/17/2014, 04:04 AM	#6
reefwiser Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Louisville,Kentucky Posts: 1,208	In the future your only choice may be captive bred. So support the breeders.

09/17/2014, 10:30 AM	#9
Marshall O Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central MA Posts: 839	I have had a CB one for two years now. It is always hanging out sideways or upside down, so I doubt there is a difference there between WC & CB. As far as colors, I have seen both in person, and the difference was not significant enough to make me want a WC over CB. I am in favor of CB with this particular fish.

09/17/2014, 11:30 AM	#12
38bill Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 430	I have had a CB (ORA) YA for a little over a year. Great little fish, always upside down or on its side. Freaks people out as they think something is wrong with it. I thought the color was a little muddy looking when I fist got the fish but he is getting brighter and showing some nice red on his fins now. I'm happy with him.

09/17/2014, 12:16 PM	#13
GoldeneyeRet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 236	Thanks for the input so far, keep it coming. I had a WC yellow assessor once and it was gorgeous. I have never seen a captive bred specimen but I have heard they are not as brilliantly colored. I also know some species are better as WC while some are better as CB. That's why I am asking about the assesors. Thanks for the insights, I hope to get some more!

09/17/2014, 03:44 PM	#14
the808state Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Honolulu Posts: 623	It could be diet as well for the TR ones. It could possibly brighten up significantly if you feed it alot with some fatty foods. Happens with most fish who look faded. It is possible that Tank raised could be the only option in the future. If this is the case, the industry will collapse quickly, and there will be no reason to breed fish anymore... Don't get me wrong, I have helped many breeders over the years, but it is not a viable long term option for this industry. But that could change if it was the only option. Either way, yellow assessors are awesome. I have one now that is the biggest I have ever seen at 3".

09/18/2014, 12:31 AM	#15
GoldeneyeRet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 236	I am looking at a yellow assessor on DD and this is the third one in a row there I have seen where the yellow looks faded and the color in the fins looks pale. I think Im leaning towards wild caught, despite the higher price tag.

09/19/2014, 10:00 AM	#16
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	I have an ORA, price tag was $89, but I got him on sale. His colors have always looked washed out, barely a hint of red, just like the DD picture. If you are looking for color, go WC. He is always swimming sideways though, which is cool. LA WC DD ORA

09/19/2014, 08:09 PM	#18
nanoreefer1000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area,CA Posts: 1,040	I usually see CB ones at cheaper prices surprisingly, always go CB when you can. Shouldn't even be a question IMO. __________________ 6 gallon reef

09/20/2014, 10:02 PM	#19
CoralsAddiction Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: L.A./Tahoe Posts: 6,003	So I was at petco today to buy my dogs some treats and new toys. They had a tank bred and wild caught yellow assessors in the same tank in the fish section. The biggest difference was the wild caught assessor's orange line on the dorsal fin was way more colorful and distinct. The pictures above posted by mark9 pretty much resemble both types very well.

09/21/2014, 01:08 AM	#20
o2manyfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Encino, CA Posts: 6,199	I have 5 of the ORAs. Got them at the beginning of the year. Behavior is the same. Color is definitely not as bright. However, these fish do tend to like to hang out in the darker areas of the tank, and along the back wall. I don't expect their colors to get as bright as the wild ones I have kept in the past. And my experience has also been that the wild ones seem to get a little bit bigger. Dave B __________________ 560g Display. 1500g System Volume. (2) 180g Outdoor Frag Tanks. 340g Sump, 30g 2 story surge tank. Dasatco EXT 9. Bubble King Skimmer. Ozone. UV. 5' Fluidized Sand Filter. Avast Kalk Mixer. Current Tank Info: 560g SPS Dominant Reef / 1500g Total System

09/21/2014, 09:09 AM	#22
GoldeneyeRet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 236	o2manyfish, how long have the 5 ORA assessors been in your tank? Have you seen any change in the color? Thanks for all the input everyone.

09/21/2014, 12:42 PM	#23
o2manyfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Encino, CA Posts: 6,199	GoldenEyeRet, I am not sure exactly. I got them since the crash last fall. I got them early in the restocking. So perhaps last November or January. Dave B __________________ 560g Display. 1500g System Volume. (2) 180g Outdoor Frag Tanks. 340g Sump, 30g 2 story surge tank. Dasatco EXT 9. Bubble King Skimmer. Ozone. UV. 5' Fluidized Sand Filter. Avast Kalk Mixer. Current Tank Info: 560g SPS Dominant Reef / 1500g Total System

09/21/2014, 12:58 PM	#24
GoldeneyeRet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 236	Thanks Dave. It seems the ORA are typically less colorful, but I read mixed reports on how much, if any, they will color up. It seems more people experience little to no color improvement. Right now I am leaning WC even though I believe in buying CB as a general rule. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.

09/25/2014, 10:53 AM	#25
Marshall O Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central MA Posts: 839	I can't find any good pictures of my ORA YA, but its colors definitely more closely resemble the WC picture vs. the CB picture. I still vote CB.