Wild vs Captive bred Yellow tang appearance

[Ameer214]

Hey guys,

Could anyone tell me if there is a visual difference between captive bred and wild yellow tangs. I always thought that wild yellow tangs were brighter in color. However, recently I saw one that looked exactly like a captive bred one. If anyone has pictures, it would be appreciated. I tried google, but really didn't get much.

 

[Bucs20fan]

There was a debate on this a few months back, but long story short, there is not enough of a discernable difference to warrant buying one over the other strictly based on appearance.

 

[Cheese Griller]

I think the wild caught having more color than captive bred is more of a rumor. I've seen plenty of captive-bred specimens that get just as much color as wild-caught. Since captive-bred fish are often received as juveniles that have yet to color up, they get a reputation for being less colorful.

 

[exnisstech]

I think the wild caught having more color than captive bred is more of a rumor. I've seen plenty of captive-bred specimens that get just as much color as wild-caught. Since captive-bred fish are often received as juveniles that have yet to color up, they get a reputation for being less colorful.

^^ This. Though I have a not seen an adult captive bred the ones that I have seen were pale but also very very small. They were almost translucent. That said, I did dump quite a bit on 2 Hawaiians that came into my LFS on trade a few months ago.

 

[PlainEnvelopes]

I am currently waiting for my captive bred to arrive and I plan to start a thread showing the stages as it grows.

But from what I have seen and researched I came to the same conclusion as Cheese Griller.

 

[bnord]

I have only ever, or will only ever, have CB yellow tangs... and usually buy/judge fish based on health, utility, attitude towards others, and then looks. The differences on the latter are minuscule in this particular buying decision, in my personal opinion

 

[Bucs20fan]

Good news is, yellows should be coming back into the market in the not so distant future as it was included in the approved Hawaiian species.

 

[exnisstech]

Good news is, yellows should be coming back into the market in the not so distant future as it was included in the approved Hawaiian species.

Bad new is now they now how much hobbyists are willing to pay

 

[Bucs20fan]

Bad new is now they now how much hobbyists are willing to pay

Yeah...but they arent crazy priced from biota at, last I checked was 249. So once wilds flood the market I wouldn't be surprised to see them down to 100 a pop in a year.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey guys,

Could anyone tell me if there is a visual difference between captive bred and wild yellow tangs. I always thought that wild yellow tangs were brighter in color. However, recently I saw one that looked exactly like a captive bred one. If anyone has pictures, it would be appreciated. I tried google, but really didn't get much.

Both in juvenile state will have that clear effect. The one thing noted with the captive bred versus wild caught is that their white line on their body is less prominent than wild caught and hints of white on the facial area.

This is wild caught:

These are some of mine is which the white line is more noticeable.

 

[i cant think]

Hey guys,

Could anyone tell me if there is a visual difference between captive bred and wild yellow tangs. I always thought that wild yellow tangs were brighter in color. However, recently I saw one that looked exactly like a captive bred one. If anyone has pictures, it would be appreciated. I tried google, but really didn't get much.

Unpopular opinion over here… ALL yellow tangs are overrated. Go for a Yellow Longbose Butterlfy if you have the room for a yellow, they’re worth everything and honestly, they’re just as reef safe as eachother, I’ve seen both species quite often go for certain corals (Usually Fleshy LPS).

 

[Ameer214]

Good news is, yellows should be coming back into the market in the not so distant future as it was included in the approved Hawaiian species.

Both in juvenile state will have that clear effect. The one thing noted with the captive bred versus wild caught is that their white line on their body is less prominent than wild caught and hints of white on the facial area.

This is wild caught:

These are some of mine is which the white line is more noticeable.

okay, I thought the wild ones have a less prominent white line on the body. You are saying that actually it is the opposite.

 

[vetteguy53081]

okay, I thought the wild ones have a less prominent white line on the body. You are saying that actually it is the opposite.

I actually have it backwards- Captive is a brighter white line ( and I even attached pics.. . . LOL )

 

[adittam]

I have lots of photos and videos of my captive bred Biota YT, Jeff Goldblum, in my build thread. Got him as a translucent baby, and now I’ve had him for a little over a year. He’s gorgeous.

 

[Ameer214]

I actually have it backwards- Captive is a brighter white line ( and I even attached pics.. . . LOL )

okay. That aligns with my observations. What about the yellowness. I thought captive were a bit more greenish yellow (lemon). The wild ones look more of a true yellow. Do you see that with your tangs?

 

[vetteguy53081]

okay. That aligns with my observations. What about the yellowness. I thought captive were a bit more greenish yellow (lemon). The wild ones look more of a true yellow. Do you see that with your tangs?

Mine are and have always been a bright yellow. As captive bred mature, they too are yellow- cant say Ive seen a greenish pigment

 

[adittam]

okay. That aligns with my observations. What about the yellowness. I thought captive were a bit more greenish yellow (lemon). The wild ones look more of a true yellow. Do you see that with your tangs?

Captive bred and wild caught can both look pale and sickly or bright and vibrant. Depends on diet and health, not where they were bred.

 

[bushdoc]

Unpopular opinion over here… ALL yellow tangs are overrated. Go for a Yellow Longbose Butterlfy if you have the room for a yellow, they’re worth everything and honestly, they’re just as reef safe as eachother, I’ve seen both species quite often go for certain corals (Usually Fleshy LPS).

Many people buy Yellow tangs not only because of color, but because they are herbivores. Longnose butterflyfish is carnivore.

 

[s_spowart]

I am trying to only buy captive bred of everything, although that makes it hard to populate the tank, especially when you have to take the stores word for it, and not much is captive bred.

As far as visual appearance is concerned, I don't think there is any difference at all. If you caught a wild fish as a baby it would look like the ones that turn up in our shops tank bred.

However, some tNk bred specimens of some species tend to be less picky for food, for example sea horses will only take live food as wild, but captive bred are more used to frozen food.
It may also result in less aggression among fish like Tangs, although I cant confirm that.

I only take captive bred to reduce my impact on wild populations, and to encourage the breeders to produce more species in the hobby.

 

[adittam]

I am trying to only buy captive bred of everything, although that makes it hard to populate the tank, especially when you have to take the stores word for it, and not much is captive bred.

As far as visual appearance is concerned, I don't think there is any difference at all. If you caught a wild fish as a baby it would look like the ones that turn up in our shops tank bred.

However, some tNk bred specimens of some species tend to be less picky for food, for example sea horses will only take live food as wild, but captive bred are more used to frozen food.
It may also result in less aggression among fish like Tangs, although I cant confirm that.

I only take captive bred to reduce my impact on wild populations, and to encourage the breeders to produce more species in the hobby.

If you buy directly from Biota, you know they're captive bred. Also *drastically* reduces the risk for disease.

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