Tang Behavior: Tang Intelligence 4/11/2009
Hi crew,
<Hi Mani>
My message today is more a comment than a query.
<OK>
I have only recently started focusing more on tangs from the Pacific and have a turbulent SPS infested 475 litre set up with exclusively tangs (and one very fat Splendid Mandarin), all thriving and fit.
My comment is on the intelligence shown by many of these species. Of particular interest is the Sailfin. Not sure of the gender but lets call him "he".
<Fair enough>
A most observant individual, he spots me from 30 feet away entering the fish room and usually comes right up to the front for a bit of an eyeball when I am examining something close up.
<Very common with Tangs.>
His favourite is Nori (seaweed) and when he sees me take a sheet out of its pack, he heads straight for where the veggie clip is mounted and acts all excited. He also plays some complex games, having devised an obstacle course internally among the live rock. He teases his best mate the Yellow Tang into pursuing him, then dips into a crack in the LR, disappears and turns up a couple of feet away emerging literally
on his side on the bottom under a large head of LR, *behind *the unsuspecting Yellow, who remains flabbergasted despite having this done to him several times a day.
<Also common, I have a Sailfin that plays "tag" with his buddy, an Ocellaris Clownfish.>
Very interesting character with a range of visible moods shown by the intensity of his coloration, varying from deep chocolate to pale gold with blue. I was looking for something on your site relating to observation
of intelligent behaviour, could you possibly direct me to any such notes?
<There isn't much out there I'm afraid. A quick Google search did not turn
up much either, here are a few links
http://www.animalintelligence.org/2007/02/26/fish-capable-of-human-like-logic/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/3189941.stm
http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_intelligence.php >
I am also very keen to keep octopuses, maybe even a "blue ring" one day
<Octopuses are fine in specialized systems, Blue Ringed Octopuses are an EXTREMELY bad idea. Bites are usually fatal.>
....unfortunately NZ bio-security just wont allow even simple *Pterois Volitans* into the country!
Meanwhile I am currently setting up a NZ-native biotope, complete with a tidal pool section. There is some stunning native temperate/sub-tropical marine life here, and if you are interested I can send some pics once its up and running.
<Please do!>
Thanks for listening!
Cheers
Mani
<My Pleasure, Mike>