Chrysopterus or Akindynos?

[sedgro]

I am thinking A. chrysopterus but I am not sure. What I do know: these clowns were collected in Vanuatu - they collected the anemone and all the clowns in it at the same time. There browner of the two clowns came with the purple H.crispa and was with a larger similar clown (probaby the female) that died from tail rot (despite rx) after two weeks. The darker clown was collected with 2 small juveniles and the cream colored H.crispa.

I guess the reason I think they are not A. chrysopterus is that none of them got Brook. Also, A. akindynos's range does extend to Vanuatu. I admit, I quarantined for only 3 days with no meds - I am one of those that feels if a fish looks good (e.g. no Brook) it is far better to get it in a healthy environment rather than a chemical soup. Let me know what you think.

 

[phender]

Absolutely chrysopterus. Nice pair.

It's kind of hard to find allardis in the South Pacific.

 

[showjet98]

nice clowns and very nice Crispa! Ive only seen 1 purple one before.

 

[Dan]

Just bought a group like that this weekend. Definitely chrys. Beautiful crispa. My chrys are in QT with copper and AB. Not going to risk it. Good luck with your group. Keep us posted.

Dan

 

[ezhoops]

I hate to disagree or at least doubt the above ID's because I know that both phender and Dan, along with showjet know their stuff but I would say they are akindynos. I would at least need a closer look to be 100% certain.

here are mine for reference

 

[stykthyn]

I vote chrys also, some seem to be brown with the thinner stripes. I wonder if that is a geographical trait.

 

[LargeAngels]

Chrysopterus. They come in many shapes and sizes.

 

[phender]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7547001#post7547001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phender
Absolutely chrysopterus. Nice pair.

It's kind of hard to find allardis in the South Pacific.

Wow! I totally misread the original post. Please disregard my second sentence from above.

 

[ezhoops]

Please tell why everyone is voting chrys? I still think akindynos.
they just look very dark to me and perhaps they are a hybrid clarki / akindynos or clarki / chrys hybrid. just not sold on straight chrys yet.

just my opinion

 

[LargeAngels]

ezhoops: What would identify this as?

 

[phender]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551390#post7551390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ezhoops
Please tell why everyone is voting chrys? I still think akindynos.
they just look very dark to me and perhaps they are a hybrid clarki / akindynos or clarki / chrys hybrid. just not sold on straight chrys yet.

just my opinion

Chrysopterus are very variable in their coloration, especially the white tailed variety. Their highlights tend to run between yellow and orange and the body color can be anywhere from black to tan. The stripes can be very thin, especially in older individuals. The stripes on your young chrys are on the thick side compared to what I normally see.

Akindynos tend to have an overall carmel color and almost always have a peach colored face.

 

[Dan]

I am not absolutely certain about anything when it comes to the clarkii complex, but both the one pictured above and my own group came from Vanuatu. I do not believe akin are found there (close, but not Vanuatu). I pressed my LFS guy on the collection point, and he insists they were collected there. I only have his word, of course, and the look of the fish. The yellow tail variety does look different as far as the mid bar width. I have had a number of akins, and they all looked liked the ones usually pictured in books. If there is a strain of akin that has a thinner midbar and more orange coloration, please post pic. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

Dan

 

[Dan]

Dan

 

[ezhoops]

Large Angels, I would guess Chrys? and I think I get your point. IS that the Chrys from Trop? OK, OK I might just be convinced. I would still love to see some closer shots of the entire body.

BTW nice white tails Dan

 

[Amphiprion]

I have no idea, but if yours came from Vanuatu, then there is a strong bet that they are A. chrysopterus.

 

[LargeAngels]

ezhoops: No. They are not from Trop. Got them from a guy in Cali who's buddy caught them in Guam as a pair. No way akin can be that far North, as far as all the information goes. The point was that Chrys. come in many flavors and in the last year many more of the darker variety have shown up.

 

[sedgro]

I realize that akindynos do not have part of their natural range listed in literature as Vanuatu. I know they range as far as New Caledonia (I have a French book with pictures of them there) and Vanuatu is close by. Also, here is a link to the wholesaler my clowns came from: http://www.pacisland.com/ , this is a link to photos of their fish collected in Vanuatu: http://www.pacisland.com/index.php?option=dir_gallery&category_id=2# ; the clown shown seems to be an akindynos without a doubt to me.

 

[LargeAngels]

That sure looks like akyndinos.

 

[maroonytunes]

Ezhoops and LargeAngels, I was at trop on he 6-10-06 and they had atleast 30 chrysts

 

[Dan]

The picture at the Pacific Isalnd Imports website of akindynos looks like typical akindynos to me also. So, if their info is correct, akin range north to Vanuatu. Still, it looks different than any of the fish pictured in this thread. Sedgro, I think we got ourselves some very nice chrys. Maybe they are cousins. Hope yours are doing well.

Dan