Dr. Seuss Soapfish (Belonoperca pylei) in the Diver's Den

Look at what just got posted in the LiveAquaria Diver’s Den! It’s the completely weird looking Dr. Seuss Soapfish (Belonoperca pylei), an incredibly rare and insanely expensive oddball of a fish. If it’s not already apparent, this fish almost looks like it was formed from two completely different species and also looks like it would fit in comfortably in the children’s stories by the famous Dr. Suess…hence the name. This rare species, named after famed diver and aquarium collector Richard Pyle, is found in the Marshall Islands at extreme depths, and the few individuals that ever do get caught require special decompression techniques to ensure they are adapted to life at the surface. Like other deepwater fish, the B. pylei commands a hefty price tag, making it one of the most exclusive fish you’ll ever find in the aquarium trade. This particular individual has a sticker price of $6000, which obviously puts it in the upper eschelans of deepwater rarities, not quite king of the hill, but certainly close. Additionally, the fish measures out just a shade over 3″, which is also about the maximum size it will grow. Doing a little simple math, that makes this fish $2000 per inch! But even still, that’s not the priciest fish we’ve seen. A one inch long basslet once sold for a whopping $10,000.