Is this (Zebrasoma veliferum) the same species as Z. desjardinii of the I.O., RS
Bob:
Looks like veliferum to me? Photo from the Pacific? 
<Yes, also off the dry side of the Big Island>
Z. desjardinii of the Indian Ocean is a valid species close to veliferum. 
<Ah, had read some accounts the latter was considered a junior synonym now...>
Different fin-ray counts as well as some color differences. Aloha, Jack
<Thank you for this Jack. Will add to the Zebrasoma FAQs on our www.WetWebMedia.com site. Bob Fenner><<Jack is Dr. John Randall, Bernice P. Bishop Museum. RMF>>

Re: Is this (Zebrasoma veliferum) the same species as Z. desjardinii of the I.O., RS
<Response to daily pic email out by Werner Schmettkamp, BSV in Germany, owners/publishers of the mag. das Aquarium and Sven and Alf's fab Modern Coral Reef Aquarium books....>
Dear Bob,
it is indeed Zebrasoma veliferum, cause of the unspotted yellow tail fin.
<Danke mein Herr. Be seeing you... this May at Interzoo. Bob Fenner>
Take care, Werner

Indian Ocean v. Red Sea Sailfin III 11/11/03
In Calfo and Fenner's new book Reef Invertebrates they list Z. veliferum as a potential bubble algae control creature;  did they mean to include all members thereof  (including the Pacific or Hawaiian Sailfin) or is the Desjardin Sailfin the one commonly believed in aquaristics to be the right candidate?
<as stated in the last e-mail, my friend... they are the same species (Desjardin/red sea Sailfin is simply a Z. veliferum) but anecdotally they are believed to be more inclined to rasp bubble algae:
<<it is possible that a race of fishes (same species...different locale) is evolved or predisposed to eating some prey items over another. There is a strong belief in aquaristics that this is the case with the Red Sea Sailfin>>
best regards, Anthony> <<Fishbase.org lists two species... RMF>>