Blonde Naso: Red Sea or Hawaii?

[crawlerman]

I am getting a Blonde Naso for my 180g reef. He has Blonde males with streamers from Hawaii that are 9" to 10" and has Blonde males from the red sea with streamers that are 7"-8". I have a yellow and blue hippo that are 4"-5" currently. I've heard Hawaiian fish are healthier due to shipping stress. He has had all fish treated and quarantined for 3 weeks so I think they would be past that but not sure. Both are $160. Which would you pick and why?

 

[nereefpat]

I was thinking N. lituratus was from the Pacific, and N. elegans (blonde naso) was from the Indian ocean, including the Red Sea. Is this not the case?

So if you want a blonde, you want a red sea.

 

[Dmorty217]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but i don't believe blonde Naso are found in Hawaii, just the regular Naso are. I have never been successful keeping blonde nasos long term (1yr+) even after they have been eating and doing well for many months they suddenly die. I would assume that is from collection practices but obviously I can't prove that. If it were me I would go with the smaller of the two

 

[crawlerman]

I've seen both fish and they are both nice, so I don't really care if it's blonde or not. My main concern is which would be healthiest and which has a better reputation for living long term.

 

[nereefpat]

Thanks, Dmorty. I thought that was right.

So, if your fish guy says he has a blonde naso from Hawaii, tell him that "no he doesn't."

Usually red sea fish are hardy, but it sounds like it may not be the case with N. elegans. The Naso lituratus from Hawaii might be best. I'm not sure about them in a 180 though. They get nearly a foot and a half long.

Edit: grammar