Tang ID

[Pife]

I'm getting to figure out what type of bristletooth tang I have. It's blue /grey with orange spots on its face and lateral lines. It also has a white tail.

 

[4FordFamily]

That looks to be a white tail bristleooth tang. The colors aren't showing well in the photos, look up some pics and tell me what you think. It's definitely in the bristletooth family.

http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/3130/white-tail-bristletooth-tang?pcatid=3130&c=15+43+3130

 

[Pife]

I don't believe it is. I have owned one (white tail) for years. They have a square tail and are much more orange.

 

[Maritimer]

Agreed on Ctenochaetus - but like Pife, all the white-tails I've seen have a more squared off tail.

What about a two-spot bristletooth? Toned-down body color, paler tail with a deeper fork . . .

~Bruce

 

[Pife]

I can add a couple more descriptors also. It has blue steely eyes and one tang on the top side where his tail meets his body.

 

[Maritimer]

The blue eyes are pretty characteristic of the two-spot - Ctenochaetus binotatus. Subtly good-looking, elegant fish. Look it up, and see if that shoe fits.

~Bruce

 

[Pife]

Agreed on Ctenochaetus - but like Pife, all the white-tails I've seen have a more squared off tail.

What about a two-spot bristletooth? Toned-down body color, paler tail with a deeper fork . . .

~Bruce

I originally thought that but it only has the one tang / spot. Can they be a hybrid between 2 spot and white tail?

 

[Maritimer]

Ah ... when you said "tang", I inferred the blade at the base of the tail. (Members of the Naso family have two on each side.)

I don't know whether the ranges of the two species overlap, but I would assume that if they do, they could. I've certainly seen plenty of Acanthurus hybrids floating around out there!

~Bruce

 

[Jgeebs413]

I vote kole tang

 

[Pife]

I vote kole tang

Will you link a kole tang that has a white tail?

 

[Pife]

Ah ... when you said "tang", I inferred the blade at the base of the tail. (Members of the Naso family have two on each side.)

I don't know whether the ranges of the two species overlap, but I would assume that if they do, they could. I've certainly seen plenty of Acanthurus hybrids floating around out there!

~Bruce

I can see where I wasn't very clear. Thank you for your help.

 

[Jgeebs413]

Will you link a kole tang that has a white tail?

Ok I'll change my vote to tomini tang

 

[Xanthurum]

I'm gonna take a shot and say that it looks like you scored one heck of a jewel! I honestly think it's a hybrid!

It has characteristics of the tomini but it also has the characteristics of striatus. Being that they both come from Fiji it is possible so... whatever it is it seems happy and healthy and that's what is important.

 

[Labridaedicted]

I think it is a Tomini as well. I was just checking out a white tail earlier I'm thinking about purchasing. They're way more red/orange.

 

[Pife]

I think I have finally figured it out. It's a lavender tang.

 

[jenjen]

If it doesn't turn out to be lavender, check out striated (Ctenochaetus cf. striatus). Mine is asleep now but here is an online pic. Sounds like what you're describing.

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

I've never seen a lavender with a white tail..

 

[Labridaedicted]

Agree with above, lavender tang is not from the right genus. This is definitely 100% a Ctenochaetus and what I know as a lavender tang is a Hawaiian Acanthurus species.

 

[Jberge]

Just curious, if bought at a LFS, what was it sold as?

 

[Pife]

Just curious, if bought at a LFS, what was it sold as?

A bristletooth tang.