Mystery Tang  6/3/08 Hi guys <Michael> I bought this tang yesterday (see attachments for pics). He was labeled as a "Bristletooth" tang. However, I definitely think he is an Acanthurus species. I have not be able to find an ID on this guy anywhere. All I know is that the importer who brought him got just got a shipment from Hawaii, so this could be his likely origin. <Maybe... almost looks like a Acanthurus thompsoni in some of your pix... but the ones with a white caudal are a bit different and from elsewhere. My guess is that this is a juvenile A. dussumieri See here: http://wetwebmedia.com/tangshi.htm and here: http://fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.php?ID=1256> Can you please help? Cheers Michael <And you. Bob Fenner> Re: Mystery Tang  6/3/08 Hi Bob <Michael> Thanks for that. I spoke to the importer and this fish came from his Hawaiian supplier <My old survey piece on Acanthurids of HI was linked last msg.> I do not think he is an Acanthurus thompsoni for a couple of reasons: Hawaiian variants not having a white caudal <Which I stated...> Many specimens I have seen on the web are either dark, or light blue, whereas, this guy is light grey, or white, or dark grey/brown depending what mood he is in His fin colouration. His dorsal fin seems to be grey, with gold running along the top (visible in some of my attached pics). Also, a third of his pectoral fins seem to be yellow, with the base of the pectoral fins being a very (I emphasize very) pale blue (almost white) <Agreed> Out of your two suggestions, I would lean to Acanthurus dussumieri - mainly because of the colouration. However, from juvenile pics I have seen, there seems to one difference. Just behind each of his eyes there is a small dark grey patch (the patch being in similar position to that of an adult orange shoulder tang, only smaller in proportion and dark grey). <Mmm, might even be a hybrid...> I am going to keep looking into him as it would be interesting to see what species he/she turns out to be. Cheers Michael <Please do send along pix of the further developed specimen, input re as time goes by. Cheers, BobF> Re: Mystery Tang  - 6/3/08 Hi Bob <Michael> Thanks for your help. I will do as you suggested and take pics over time as it sure will be interesting to see how he/she turns out. If it is a hybrid, it would be pretty awesome as I only paid $76NZD for him/her. <Mmm... at .784 to the U.S....> However, there does seem to be a great possibility that he/she turns out to be just another variation of A. Dussumieri or another species. Will keep you informed. Cheers Michael <Thank you my friend of "the long white cloud"... will think of you later while working the weeds about my Avocado trees here in S. Cal., as I know NZ grows many Hass as well. Cheers! Bob Fenner> Re: Mystery Tang  - 6/3/08 Fair enough. Trust me, $76NZD is cheep for any tang here. And we don't just grow avocados here either! ;) Although they are pretty good Cheers Michael <The place is supposedly a wonderland of agriculture and sheep raising... Have only been to Rotorua... with the HHH... thus too blinded by alcohol to remember much... but can't get the Sulfur smell out of me clothes! Cheers, BobF>

Tang ID question…A Hybrid Maybe? – 05/13/08 I have been trying to identify the attached to no avail, and am beginning to think it might be a hybrid. <<I think you may be right>> It was called a Charcoal Tang in the store, which only produces epicurean results on Google ;). <<Mmm, yes…and likely a label placed (made up) at the holding facility>> It has elements of Japonicus but I am unsure. Sorry for the furniture reflection. http://i31.tinypic.com/2webcwi.jpg <<Well John…it certainly looks “Acanthuridae” in appearance; and I can’t find anything like it in my reference material. The markings and colors suggest to me a mix of A. leucosternon (Powder Blue Tang) and possibly A. pyroferus (Chocolate Tang). This fish also looks to be a juvy…so the color/markings will likely change a bit yet and may provide more clues at a later stage>> Thanks in advance! John <<Sorry I couldn’t give you a more definitive answer. EricR>>

Re: Tang ID question…A Hybrid Maybe? – 05/21/08 Hi Eric, Bob and Crew, <<Hey John…Eric here>> I appreciated your help on this ID. <<Was it of use?>> http://i31.tinypic.com/2webcwi.jpg"http://i31.tinypic.com/2webcwi.jpg http://s3.tinypic.com/2u9od44.jpg"http://s3.tinypic.com/2u9od44.jpg Someone on Reef Central suggested this is a pale lipped surgeon and attached the following photo. http://www.abrisousroche.com/EauMer/Animaux/Fiches/Chirurgiens/Acanthurus-leucocheilus.jpg <<Hmm, perhaps…as it does look similar to yours…but then, neither look anything like that shown for Acanthurus leucocheilus on fishbase.org>> Now I am even more concerned as this is a no-no for a 75 gallon, even more than the powder blue/chocolate hybrid you suggested. <<If what you have is indeed A. leucocheilus, then yes…as this fish reaches 20” in the wild>> I will probably ask my LFS to consider an exchange for a more tank appropriate fish. Do you agree that this is a pale lipped? <<Unless yours is in a juvenile color phase, based on what I see on fishbase.org…no, I do not agree. The fact that someone has a “similar” specimen does not necessarily indicate a species specific find, as it too may be a hybrid>> The tail is blue instead of yellow, but mine may be younger. <<Maybe so>> Looking at all the photos on Bob’s article The Tangs, Surgeons, Doctorfishes, of the Genus Acanthurus, on Wetweb, I identified many fish it “could” be, including bahianus, dussumieri or a Hawaiian thompsoni which is frustrating. <<Indeed…and none of them close enough to be of a certainty>> Anyway, thanks again. <<I do wish Bob were back so he too could comment/voice an opinion re your mystery Acanthurus sp. tang. Regards, Eric Russell>>

Achilles tang hybrid  4/19/08
I saw an interesting tang at the LFS today. The fish was sent from the wholesaler as an Achilles and the markings are generally in the usual distribution for an achilles, but the colors are off. There is the usual orange coloration across the tail as well as the tear-drop marking in front of the tail. The body is a muted blue-gray to brown color rather than black, and there is a distinct white "bib" like marking across the chest, reminiscent of a powder blue tang. If I had to guess based just on looks I'd favor a powder blue/achilles hybrid but that doesn't make sense geographically. My next thought would be a Dussumieri. I only see references to Achilles x goldrim hybrids so I thought I would see if you had seen any other crosses. I'll try to get a photo if you think that would help.
Thanks,
Jeff
<Have seen a few crosses twixt A. achilles and the Gold-Rim (or Cat Tang in HI), A. nigricans (nee glaucopareius). Do send along a pic if you can. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Tang taxonomy, naming  03/04/2008
Dear WWM crew,
Thanks for your extremely informative and helpful site. I recently added a tang that has been called a lavender tang, it was sold from LFS as a palani tang. From the picture on the WWM section dealing with tangs, it is listed as Acanthurus nigrofuscus.
<Yes... this is likely the most commonly applied name for the Lavender... the Palani is most often Acanthurus dussumieri>
Another site has the same fish listed as Ctenochaetus Nigrofuscus.
<Mmm, there is no such fish... I think they've got the genus wrong here... the only species name applied to Acanthurid/oids for nigrofuscus is Acanthurus...>
Can you please help to clarify which is the correct listing? I'm asking because it is behaving very much like a member of the Ctenochaetus family.
<Mmm, not a family, but a genus...>
It is actively feeding on a lush growth of algae in my 40 gal. holding tank that contains live rock and cleaner shrimp. I prefer to use this method to quarantine my fish instead of using copper.
Thank you for all the past and present help.
Matty T Cleveland OH
<The Lavender is one of my fave Tangs... is very common in the wild where it's found, stays small, is relatively peaceful, and an ardent algal picker... Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/tangs,.htm
and the linked files where you find, lead yourself. Bob Fenner>

Acanthurus pyroferus... sel..., mimic tangs period    2/16/07
I need some smarts.
<Hey, get in line behind me!>
  I've seen/heard various conflicting reports regarding the commonly referred to "mimic tang."
<Mmm... well...>
  Quite simply, I've heard of three species, Acanthurus pyroferus, Acanthurus chronixis, and Acanthurus tristis.
<There are these three... perhaps some others...>
As juveniles, they all have quite their specific looks, but I very much enjoy the look of the A. pyroferus as an adult.
I think it's understood that the yellow mimic juveniles are indeed the A. pyroferus, but the question; how can you determine if an eibli or half black juvenile is the aforementioned A. pyroferus instead of the other options such as A. chronixis or A. tristis (your website implies the A. pyroferus can mimic many different Centropyge sp.)?
<This is so... and for the purposes here... really only practical to have you check numerous images for comparison twixt the Surgeons and Dwarf Angels... they are distinctive seen side by side I assure you... Perhaps fishbase.org, Scott Michael's Reef Fish series...>
  I'd hate to find out months or years later as to what my selection turns into, and I'd like something a little more unusual than the common yellow mimic juvenile.
<Oh... and to further toss in a monkey wrench, these fishes are capable of changing quite a bit... tend to "drift" from seeming pre-disposed coloring, marking in captive circumstances... Less so in larger volumes, in the presence of "biotopic" (naturally co-occurring) species. Bob Fenner>
Thanks!
Chris  

Fish ID Help - 2/17/03 Hi Anthony, Here are some pictures. Thanks. Ron <Ron... thanks for the images, but they are neither clear nor close enough to be certain. Yet they do resemble Acanthurus blochii very much. I don't think we can be of any further help to you on the ID. I forget how big this aquarium was too? Any of the Acanthurus that this turns out to be exceed 40 cm at maturity (16"!) and I fear you may not have a tank long enough to grow it to adulthood. More importantly, its apparent that this fish has suffered from the rigors of import and is remarkably emaciated.  You need to fatten it up ASAP to save it. Focus on high protein greens like Spirulina tablets... as well as Mysis shrimp and even some freeze dried foods if it will taken them (we're looking for 20% protein or better... much better actually). I also saw some hermits  one of the pictures that look like temperate species from the gulf (janitor types). Do ID them if you are not sure they are tropicals. Best regards, Anthony>

HAWAIIAN CONVICT TANG
BOB,
YOU LINK
http://wetwebfotos.com/Home?actionRequest=articleView&articleID=10
http://wetwebfotos.com/Home?actionRequest=organismView&organismID=108
this link has a Hawaiian Convict tang  (sub species) in the top picture.
Hint:  the Hawaiian has the second bar extending past the pectoral fin all the way to the bottom of the belly.   The number of bones/rays in the fins is also different than the non-Hawaiian.
I must spend too much time reading Jack Randall's books.
ABOUT Hawaiian tangs has a picture of the NON-Hawaiian convict tang.
Do you know how to tell the difference?
ALOHA
John Dawe
<Evidently not... though have seen, photographed "Maninis" in a bunch of countries, places... That Dr. R... just two nights back was stymied at a SDMAS meeting by someone asking what species of bristlemouth tang they had... I said, "likely a Ctenochaetus striatus"... but Dr. Jack has expanded the number of species recently (groan). Be chatting. Bob Fenner>

Tang ID
Hi there!!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to get your feedback!!! This is a great feature!
I have two different questions:
1) I purchased a fish and was told that it was a Pacific Blue Tang. However, according to pictures I've found while researching, he is NOT a pacific blue at all! How can I possibly find out what he is? Is there an online guide that YOU know of (with pictures) that might possibly help me track down exactly what kind of fish this is? I'm at a complete loss!
Just in case you can place him: He is a mottled blue and yellow -- very fine striping on his sides, and not as linear tiger striping on his face (alternating a pale yellow and deep blue). Yellow fins. Yellow 
2) I just purchased a 55-gallon corner tank for my home, and am a little intimidated by the filtration for this tank (I have a 30 gallon and 10 gallon salt). Can you please recommend some of the hardware I should buy to keep this new tank healthy? 
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
Best Regards, Margaret Pennell
>>
For the first query, do have a technical site that is a fabulous tool: 
http://www.cgiar.org/iclarm/fishbase/
Do your initial search of all the Surgeonfishes under their common name or family: Acanthuridae... and click away at the pictures associated with the species... But, I'm also attaching an image of what is very likely a juvenile stage Atlantic Blue Tang, 
Acanthurus coeruleus... which is probably what you do have.... It will grow, change color to look more like the typical images of the adults.
The second.. what sort of gear for the 55 corner tank? Hmm, lighting, filtration/circulation... including a skimmer...? Sorry, I don't know if I follow what you're looking for. The set-up will probably incorporate the same sorts of elements of your smaller systems.
Bob Fenner

Question On A blue tang
Hey there,
I enjoy reading your Q & A on the Flying Fish Express web site. You've help me several times before. I had a blue jaw Goby the had a hole in his side. The medicated food didn't help. But I finally caught him last week. I treated him
with Karcyn <probably Kanamycin>( mis spelled) and the hole has stopped growing and the White area has diapered. Thanks for the Advice.
My New Question: I recently bought a blue Tang (yellow tailed with blue maze like pattern) The fish is still a juvenile. He was fine for the first week in Quarantine and now has black patches near his belly. Also had a clear white growth near his eye but has fallen off. The tang eats constantly. I feed him brine shrimp, macro algae and veggie gum drops. He does swim around a lot. He is in the same tank as the Gobies. He also received the same medication as the Gobies. Any Suggestions what it maybe and the treatment if any?
Thanks, Anthony
>>
<Sounds like a nervous/environmental "disease" that will cure itself with the animal adjusting to captive conditions... Not infectious or parasitic. I would just place the fish in your main system... and do start a "algae sheet" food offering regimen... strips of Nori you can buy from pet fish or oriental food sources.
Bob Fenner, who says, oh, yeah, this is the same species (Paracanthurus hepatus), as you folks from elsewhere call a Hippo or Palette Tang.

Re: Question On A blue tang
Thanks for the help,
The Tang is basically all blue with yellow tail. Has the body shape of a Yellow Tang. He is just a juvenile. Is he still a Paracanthurus hepatus?
Thanks, Anthony
>>
Hmm Yellow tailed, blue body with maze-like dark markings... could be a Paracanthurus... or maybe just a juvenile Atlantic Blue, Acanthurus coeruleus... take a look at this site:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tangs,.htm
And read down to the genus... this species goes from a tiny all-yellow to blue with yellow tail... to all azure blue... Is this it?
Ah, good,
Bob Fenner

Re: Question On A blue tang
thanks,
Its a Atlantic Blue Tang.
>>
Ah, yes.
Bob Fenner

Acanthurus pyroferus
Hello again!
I am trying to discover if anyone has grown a Pyroferus to maturity in a hobbyists' aquarium. Our friend in our reef is growing bigger and into the Sub-Adult stage. He/She receives foods in many varieties and has developed plenty of physical bulk. The caudal fin shows the beginnings of the "feathers" carried by adults. The orange/black coloration is prominent around the operculum and the pale yellow lip on a dark background is visible. Is the normal development experienced by reefkeepers?
Regards
>>
Yes, if the animal is kept long and well enough... Public aquariums are where I've mainly seen/photographed such advanced development individuals... of a few "normal" and mimic varieties.
Bob Fenner

Re: Pyroferus
Good Evening Bob!,
Further to my earlier messages. 
My pyro has developed in a different way to other histories I have read. The head has almost adopted the adult form and the rest is still quite yellow. However, the upper rear of the fish has shaded as the adult. It is still subject to body colour changes, tied to emotions; especially when feeding. The tail extensions are developing. I am looking at the new range of Canon SLR autos to buy and photograph the progress of this particular fish. I will also shoot the other fish which are not behaving in the accepted manner.
I feel very privileged to be an observer of these changes.
Regards
Anthony Barden >>
<"In the accepted manner...?" Curious. Well, Canon does have about the fastest lenses in their 35mm SLR's. I'd use Velvia (Fuji's super color rich 50 ISO slide film).. Do this documentation, and know that such observations have been remarked upon... seems like if some mimics don't have "things to copy" they go a bit awry.
Bob Fenner>