Mystery Tank ID Please

[steve newman]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can ID this Tang for me, I have tried searching numerous forums, fishbase etc, but still no luck. I think it could be hybrid, so here's hoping.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/12909MysteryTang2.jpg


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/12909MysteryTang1.jpg

Regards
Steve

[Kahuna Tuna]

The only tang I know of that has a solid white tail like that is Ctenochaetus flavicauda. Is the fish a bristletooth tang? The mouth of bristletooths is very distinctive but I cant tell from that pic.

[steve newman]

Hi Kahuna Tuna,

Yes definetly a bristletooth, same mouth as a Kole tang, in fact it could be a Kole if it wasn't for the white tail.

Regards
Steve

[Kahuna Tuna]

Then I would say its either a flavicauda or a cross with one. Nice looking fish, very unusual.

[t0mmy108]

it's the yellow pokadot pink Vikini tang

[steve newman]

Hi t0mmy108,



it's the yellow pokadot pink Vikini tang


LMAO :p :p :lol: :lol: :lol:

Regards
Steve

[Kahuna Tuna]

it's the yellow pokadot pink Vikini tang

That's classic! :p

[sohalfr]

I can't see on those picture the typical mouth of a bristletooth tang...

Couldn't it be a juv of a white-freckled surgeonfish (Acanthurus maculiceps) ? Besides the white tail, it's close to that fish..

[sedgro]

I second the A. macauliceps. Here is a link showing both an adolescent and juenile fish (which has an all white tail - scroll down for this picture).

http://www.izuzuki.com/Zukan/Fish/niza/irezumiNZ.html

john

[sohalfr]

The second picture shows definitively the same fish with the white tail.

A. maculiceps with no doubt.

Pascal

[rowland75]

I have one very similar too.

Mine has all the colouring and the striping in the sides but not the spots.

How big is yours? As mine may not have develpoped its colours yet.

[steve newman]

Hi rowland75,

It is approx 5" long, this fish is like a chameleon, it changes colour from a light backgrond to almost black in the blink of an eye.


Hi sohalfr, sedgro,

I agree it does look an awful lot like A. maculiceps, I will have to wait and see, which is all part of the fun of course.

I was hoping it wasn't A. maculiceps because it will outgrow my tank pretty soon, this fish eats for England!, but I have someone lined up with an 8' tank.

Regards

Steve

[rowland75]

Hi Steve

Thanks for the reply. What size did you buy him as mine was 2" and now about 3" and he/she varies from light grey with a white tail to horizontal yellow stripes to almost black all over.

Eats like a pig and bullies a bit.

Pete

[steve newman]

Hi Pete,

It was 4" when I got it, has grown about an inch since then, purchased it in October, although the tail is pale, their is now more of a distinct yellow band at the base of the caudal pendicule, I will update this thread with pictures in a couple of months, to monitor the changes.

Can you post a pic up of yours, be interested to see it.

Regards

Steve

[rowland75]

Thanks Steve

I shall try and get a pic.

I see your in Reading, a fellow uk reefer!

Do you use any other reef forums?

Cheers

Pete

[steve newman]

Hi Pete,

Yes use several;

Ultimatereef, Reefs uk, Reefcove, Reefhaven, Reefpark and Marinefish UK.

Logged in as steve newman or Silverreef.

Regards

Steve

[rowland75]

Appologies for the picture quality but hes pretty quick and it shows the blue and yellow colouration.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/rowlp/tankbuild030.jpg

Hes about 3" and the scalpel near the tail has just changed colour and become more prominant, also the tail has changed shape and becoming more curved.

[sohalfr]

Hi rowland75, do you think your's is a maculiceps ?

Check http://www.izuzuki.com/Zukan/Fish/niza/niseKHG.html to get a little bit confused about your juv ;)

Could be a dussumieri :D

[rowland75]

Oh man it gets worse.

Ive spent months working out what it is then when I id it I see something else and start again......

Cheers sohalfr

[sohalfr]

:rolleyes: :lol: :lol: Sorry...

Anyway I love those fishes... dussumieri and maculiceps...

If only I had a 400 gallons tank...:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[rowland75]

Luckily hes small now and Im moving this year, so going all out with a big reef.

Im off to google dussumieri now so thats my night taken care of!

[rowland75]

Ive had a good look around and a really close look at the tang.

There is the slightest hint of a pale yellow stripe at the eye.

Im not 100% convinced but A.dussumieri is a definate contender.

[pjf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9088083#post9088083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kahuna Tuna
The only tang I know of that has a solid white tail like that is Ctenochaetus flavicauda.
Kahuna,

I've been looking for a Ctenochaetus flavicauda. Where is it available?

Thanks!

[Kahuna Tuna]

pjf- you have a PM.

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

awesome tang...