Indian Mimic Tang

[tdp22]

Just wondering if this was the same as Elibi or Chocolate Mimic. How to tell them apart? and any pros and cons of them for a mixed reef. He looks great, but is he a great fit?? Thanks.

[LisaD]

If it's Acanthurus tristis, it's the Eibl's angel mimic. I think it's also called the Indian Ocean mimic tang.

To tell them apart, do a google image search on adults and juveniles of:

Acanthurus pyroferus
Acanthurus tristis

[Kahuna Tuna]

Its the best looking mimic tang as a juvie but the adults are very drab. Other than the fact that they aren't very attractive they are great reef fish and one of the better tang choices.

[tdp22]

Thanks for the replies. I went with a Kole Tang instead. Did the search and found the mimics are boring as adults. Not a show fish for sure. Koles are a little more attractive.

[the lars]

i dont think they are boring..ever seen one live? in my opinion they are quiet underrated...mine is a model citizen and gets along well with all other inhabitans

http://s10.directupload.net/images/user/090422/temp/4y9vwekq.jpg (http://s10.directupload.net/file/u/20679/4y9vwekq_jpg.htm)

http://s11b.directupload.net/images/user/090422/temp/wp6rbnuk.jpg (http://s11b.directupload.net/file/u/20679/wp6rbnuk_jpg.htm)

[anbosu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14875459#post14875459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the lars
i dont think they are boring..ever seen one live? in my opinion they are quiet underrated...mine is a model citizen and gets along well with all other inhabitans

http://s10.directupload.net/images/user/090422/temp/4y9vwekq.jpg (http://s10.directupload.net/file/u/20679/4y9vwekq_jpg.htm)

http://s11b.directupload.net/images/user/090422/temp/wp6rbnuk.jpg (http://s11b.directupload.net/file/u/20679/wp6rbnuk_jpg.htm)

How old is yours? Mine looks like this also and wondering if they are similar in age or not. Mine is gradually transitioning the black off of the back half of its body, it will be interesting to see what it looks like as an adult since there aren't many good pictures on the web.

[the lars]

got mine about 3 months ago..he looked like this when i got him

http://s11.directupload.net/images/user/090422/temp/ca5dtjdi.jpg (http://s11.directupload.net/file/u/20679/ca5dtjdi_jpg.htm)

personally i think he was less attractive back than..hes front is getting more orange..
i think he will be a real beauty..like this one

http://fishbase.org/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Acpyr_u6.jpg (http://www.fishbase.org/images/species/Acpyr_u6.jpg)

my mimic is an acanthurus pyroferus also know as chocolate mimic tang, not the tristis..

[Kahuna Tuna]

Maybe I wasn't clear, I stated that I thought the tristus (Eibl mimic) was pretty drab as an adult, not the pyroferus (chocolate mimic) which I think are quite beautiful if not the most colorful tang.

[the lars]

woops, sorry my mistake then..i have to agree with the tristis..

but i think nobody will be angry about some more nice pics of a pyroferus, u dont see them so often..

[tdp22]

Those are beautiful fish. Def. not the fish I was looking at. I think it was the tristis. Kole was just a better fit. And he is doing GREAT in the tank. 20min. in he was out and enjoying himself.

[bj32482]

I have an eibli and wouldn't trade him for anything...he is an absolute algae eating machine....I wouldn't care if he grows up to look like a floating turd, so long as he continues the cleaning...

[Kahuna Tuna]

The kole really is a much better choice for your size system and in general most bristletooth tangs are about the best film algae eaters of the bunch. I love both these fish and it would be hard to choose for me. Heres my binotatus (blue eye kole) and chocolate tangs in my 180;

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1583two_spot_tang.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1583mini-new_mimic_tang.JPG

Most mimics are very mellow but mine is a bit of a stinker and he lets the kole have it from time to time but otherwise an awesome fish.