Acanthurus tennenti, tang sexing   9/14/08 I was just wondering if there was a way to tell the sex of a Tennenti tang (aka the vampire tang)? <Mmm, not as far as I'm aware. There are some morphological differences in sex twixt some Acanthurids, but not this species: http://animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/tangs/DoublebandSurgeonfish.php> I have one specimen and another reefer has one that they are trying to find a new home for. I am aware that multiple tangs require large living space. I have a 240g (72x30x24) tank. I was wondering if there was any way to have 2 vampire tangs in the same system. <I give you good odds that two would get along in this shape/volume system, though this species is typically encountered solitarily: http://books.google.com/books?id=EOY28s5U9ukC&pg=PA724&lpg=PA724&dq=sexing+acanthurus+tennenti &source=web&ots=xH4a1d2_Fu&sig=q WbbyUSoB02Ps5rQpmn5F1dHOF4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result> I was hoping that I could try and pair them up, <Mmm, are group spawners> although I know the chances of this happening are unlikely. I am amazed at the color difference between my tang and the other persons. I know this species changes colors well, but their overall patterns are different. I would love to be able to have two of them. My vampire tang is in QT right now, so it has not even seen the 240g. Could I introduce them simultaneously? <A good plan, yes> I appreciate your help. Brian <Bob Fenner>

Sexing Tangs Bob, How can I tell if my 9in. African clown tang is a male or female?  <<Lorenzo Gonzalez filling in for Bob/Anthony, et al.. You're asking about Acanthurus lineatus, or A. sohal (the Red Sea version of A. lineatus), I presume? Sadly, one can only sex these by carefully observing adult behavior in a large group. (The male is larger, and commands a harem of females. Cheers, Zo>> Thanks Linstun

Jackpot Fish? (Acanthurus Tang cross?) I have emailed you before about my Horn Shark tank still going really good after 8 months ( grown a good 4 inches! ) and he is over three feet. He eats really well shows good color.  <Ahh, glad to read of your success> I also asked you a lot of questions about my angelfish tank 800 gallons which after a long drawn out series of events was taking down and the contents were auctioned off. Its back to reef the and my other reef tank of 600 gallons is gone. All are doing great. In my sons room we have a 75 gal fish only for a total of three tanks in the house. He has three fish in there that have lived for over a year as of Dec 29. A Koran Angelfish, Huma Trigger, and Tang of some sort. All are 4 inches. The tang was sold to us as a misc. ocean tang. I thought it was a Gold Rimmed (nigricans) but it just never looked quite like my id pictures.  <Please take a look through the many images of tangs posted on WetWebMedia.com> Recently, I was searching for some fish at www.themarinecenter.com and I came across what's being sold as a cross between the Gold Rim and an Achilles hybrid. <Yes, this "happens"> The picture is exact to what I had. Like identical. Our fish was sold for $24.99, <Bargain, considering "what it takes" to collect, hold, ship... such a live animal> about how much is it worth? What exactly is it? It eats everything, big algae eater too. Any help again appreciated. <Help yourself: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tangs,.htm Bob Fenner>