Black Tang Question

[TXChewy]

I recently read the article on WWC new tang additions and they mention a melanistic Z. rostratum.

"The melanistic black tang is equally peculiar because it is so black that it just disappears. Normally a black tang of its size would have a silver streak right beneath the dorsal fin but since melanistic describes fish with an overabundance of black pigment, this long nose tang absorbs all light completely and it disappears save for its tony little white tail spine."

Video of "Perfect Quality" Black Tang
- You can easily see the silver streak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1-YLciao2M

Question - At what age/size does a black tang develop the silver streak?

 

[tanglovers]

I can only tell my experience with mine. It is larger then the one WWC has and does not have any silver streak. Been in captivity for about 4 years now, collected at 3" is now about 6.5" or so.

Hopefully someone else will chime in but I do not think there is anything special about the black tang WWC has.

 

[TXChewy]

I agree with you - nothing out of the norm with WWC's Black Tang

It seems as though ALL black tangs are "melanistic black tangs" until a silver streak appears. I wonder if WWC purchased a "melanistic black tang" or if they just got lucky.

 

[nanotank]

Mine has the sliver streak. I have had it about 5-6 yrs... Its had the stripe for a long time. I got it and it was like 1.5" now about 5" in the 240. I have 5 other large tangs in there with it including my 15 yr old regal..

 

[xxtriggermanxx]

I've had mine almost 3 years . I got him from a fellow reefer breaking down his fathers tank. they had him a few years as well.. it's about 6 inches , and has the streak but it's not very drastic. seems it depends on his mood. . Really love this fish !

 

[TXChewy]

How is this one a hybrid?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversde...ref=4282&subref=AI&cmpid=E-_-TR-_-DDN-_-PRDCT

 

[MikeandNicole]

How is this one a hybrid?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversde...ref=4282&subref=AI&cmpid=E-_-TR-_-DDN-_-PRDCT

Hybrid between a scopas tang and a black tang. They don't get the long nose that a true black tang gets. Still a very nice fish.

 

[tcmfish]

Ever heard of April Fool's?

 

[tcmfish]

Also as for the hybrid, the hybrid will have the lines of the scopas tang, but a darker color. The extended mouth will be inbetween the two species. Also under the dorsal you can see hints of where the silver-ish line will be.

 

[tanglovers]

Ever heard of April Fool's?

Did not even think about that....sure answers a bunch there

Yes the hybrids are very nice but do have their differences. The one listed from LADD is one of the larger ones I have seen. I own two scopas x rostratum hybrids, one is about 4" the other a little over 2".

 

[TXChewy]

Ever heard of April Fool's?

:beer: