Can I see your black tangs
- Thread starter mpoletti
- Start date
roktsintst
New member
Is that yours mark? If so howdo you think he will get along with your achilles?
tangers
New member
I don't want to bust your bubble if he's yours, but I don't think that is a black. Black tangs do not have a "pattern" on their skin. They are completely black. Looking real close at the picture you can see the dots/lines in the body that almost make it look like a scopas variation/hybrid. I would definately say it's a scopas but the lines as opposed to dots are throwing me off. I'll see if I can find some pics to help.
tangers
New member
this should help.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1404666
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1404666
I understand that, but scopas tangs do not have that long of a nose or that high of a dorsal fin. That pictiure was taken when I was removing it from the bag into an acclimation bucket. It was a little stressed out.
Either way, If its a black/scopas hybrid, I'm cool with that
Either way, If its a black/scopas hybrid, I'm cool with that
Last edited:
J.R.L.
In Memoriam
i dont think its a scopas...looking at mine right now you can def see a big diiference in how high the dorsal fin is in the one in the pic compared to mine (granted mine is older) but still above the eyes my scopas' body slopes back towards the rear not upwards like the one in the pic
jmaneyapanda
Commencing hatred
Speculation speculation speculation. Are we really saying its a hybrid from a picture of it dry in someones's hand? C'mon. Show us some pics of it in the water, and let see what it looks like. I have never seen a black that small available. ALl the ones I have seen have been dinner plate sized ones like myers'.
copps
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12794898#post12794898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
Either way, If its a black/scopas hybrid, I'm cool with that
Hey Mark, I just got your PM, and I could say with near 100% certainty that this a Z. rostratum/scopas hybrid from Christmas Island. I could say that it is 100% not a full scopas of any color... with the only minute other chance that it's a full rostratum, but highly unlikely. You may want to post your other photo from the other thread... The long snout and high black dorsal say rostratum all the way...
Hybridization of scopas and rostratum is well documented and they've been occurring more and more frequently... this is probably due to two reasons... black tangs are practically fished out of Christmas Island, where most all of the collection of rostratum occurs. They actually have a fairly decent range, but not at collection sites of the industry. They are also common nowhere in their range... further leading to the high price... A few recent trips have gone to other islands in the Line Islands to get rostratum also... and they've garnered high prices in Hawaii at the wholesale level. From what I've seen, the wholesale price of the hybrids is about 40-50% less than full rostratum, so you may have a gripe if you care... I wouldn't though, as it is an equally cool fish. Another factor that may be contributing is that with so few black tangs left they are breeding more and more into the scopas population there, as it's well documented that hybridization generally occurs when the rare species could not find a mate and spawns with another closely related species... I've asked many ichthyologists to explain this and the best answer I got was this... In Europe about 30,000 to 35,000 years ago it's pretty understood that we **** sapiens coexisted with H. neanderthalis... say you got caught up in a tribe of neanderthals for a few months... after a few months the females actually might become somewhat attractive!
So, with all that said here are shots of my two guys... as you could see when small full Z. rostratum are jet black, only getting the "silverback" as they grow...
jmaneyapanda
Commencing hatred
what other thread? Link? Copps, on an unrelated note, you have corrupted me. I finds my tank turning into an angel/butterfly tank. Gotta do something until hocket starts up again.
copps
Premium Member
jmaneyapanda
Commencing hatred
thank you brother. I would have to concur- Scopas/rostratum. Tight fish, Mark. (jealous).
Thank you everyone for your help and your concern. I have been waiting for a fish like this for a long time. I have seen plenty and this is the closest small tang of this variant that I have seen.
Here is the other picture that John was referencing that I posted in my build thread. Reference the long nose that is a trait of black tang variants only.
John, I thank you for taking time out of your life to respond here and in my build thread. Your specimens are truly beautiful. I have seen more and more of these hybrids. I too agree that hybrids and aberrants are showing up because of harvesting practices and the fact that fish are just trying to find a little love
Thanks again.
Here is the other picture that John was referencing that I posted in my build thread. Reference the long nose that is a trait of black tang variants only.
John, I thank you for taking time out of your life to respond here and in my build thread. Your specimens are truly beautiful. I have seen more and more of these hybrids. I too agree that hybrids and aberrants are showing up because of harvesting practices and the fact that fish are just trying to find a little love
Thanks again.
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