Desjardinii Zebrasoma

[Reefugee]

I want to get a Desjardinii Zebrasoma (Red Sea Sail Fin) for my tank to help control algae (hair). There are few questions I have about the fish:

1. What is the difference between the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Sri Lanka Desjardinii Zebrasoma? I have seen some where the coloration were just awesome, while others were just "blah."

2. Has anyone seen one for sale. CRS has two small ones for sale for $75 - but they were on the skinny side. I decided to skip until I can find a healthier specimen. *BTW - CRS has awesome customer service!*

Minh

PS - I hope that Juan will chime in on this post.

 

[kdblove_99]

I have a red sea sailfin. I really like him! think one diffrence with sail fins is the red sea has the freckles on the face, i think they are nicer IMO.

$75 seems kinda high! Mine is really nice and was very healthy, I actually got him at Petco about 8 months ago for $50. That is the only fish i have ever bought from there!

here is the best pic i could find

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[mpoletti]

I have the red sea version and they are a little more colorful. The fish can be a little aggressive, but I have never had a problem with mine and I house it with a purple tang as well.
I have found that prices at CRS sometimes can be a little high. I am not bashing them at all because I shop there as well. I know there are a lot of people that love that shop, but money is money.

 

[MrMikeB]

The Red Sea IMPO are one of the more colorful varieties. The thing I thought was really cool about it was that it could change its colors within seconds. It can go from a white w/vertical stripes to a dark gray w/ stripes while you watch it - usually depending on its mood or if there is food available.

I recently sold a huge Red Sea Sailfin (approx 7-8") to a reefer in Elk Grove (damn I forget his name) for $60. They do need a lot of room to swim and due to their sheer height, should have vertical clearance. Paul has a lovely specimen that is simply massive that I think is of the Red Sea... maybe we can get him to post a pic to show you an adult version.

 

[juaninsac]

Moi?

Where are they calling them Sri Lankan Sailfins? I only ask because I had never thought there was any collecting going on in Sri Lanka....

If you get a fat one they're great tangs. Hardy, easy to feed, not terribly aggressive as Zebrasoma go.

 

[FishGuy5]

I HAD the Red Sea version...beautiful fish, just a tad agressive. Was keeping my Purple Tang in check. I didn't notice it doing a real great job on algae, though. Red Sea is definately alot better looking in my humble opinion.

 

[Reefugee]

Juan,

According to LiveAquaria, they are collected in Sri Lanka as well. According to wikipedia, they "originate in the lagoons and reefs of the Indian Ocean from the southern Red Sea to KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa and as far east as India and Java." Live Aquaria has the one from the Red Sea sell more than sailfins from Maldives/Sri Lanka.

The reason why I asked if there was a difference was because when I was a CRS, I was looking at a small juvenile . The Juvenile did not look as nice as a bigger one they had. Brian made a comment that the large one came from Red Sea while the juvenile probably came from the Indian ocean.

BTW - CRS did have the juvenile for $50 a few weeks ago. But when I went back last week, the price was $75. Brian told me that the cost from his reseller went up (which is totally understandable). I am looking for a specimen that is under 3".

kdblove - very nice looking specimen! I never thought about checking Petco - although I would avoid the Davis Petco. Their saltwater fish always seems to be in quarantine..

 

[kdblove_99]

Yeah, I it was just a luck thing! It was in there front display tank and the guy ended up selling it to me.

I'm pretty sure i have seen them there for sale its the one on Douglas Blvd. next time i go there i will check!

 

[juaninsac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9810651#post9810651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefugee
According to LiveAquaria, they are collected...

According to the good doctors they don't sell any tangs from the Phillipines either.

I would buy whichever one you think looks best. Actually I would buy a Tomini or Chevron bristletooth. But that's just me.

 

[matttaylor]

If you want to go to any Petco in this area, go to the new one in Rocklin off 65. The assistant manager is a fellow reefer, and he is the one who runs the saltwater section. In addition the tanks are new enough to not have as many diseases as the one on Douglas.

2 weeks ago they ordered sailfin tangs and ended up getting Desjardini's instead, and were selling them at the same price as regular sailfins ($21.99!).

 

[mikid]

sailfin red sea tang

sailfin red sea tang

i just saw a red sea tang at O st store for 60.00 and the fish was 3 inches,excellant looking fish

 

[jackfishy]

I saw the fish too while I was there picking up some damsel to cycle my tank. It is a nice looking fish but end up didn't buy anything because I saw some white spot on other fish.


Jack

 

[Reefugee]

I was at O St on Sunday, and I didn't see a Red Sea Sailfish. I have to admit though - their fish weren't looking very healthy. Sad part is that O St isn't in its prime like it used to be. They used to be one of the best LFS in the area. We're lucky because not we have 3 (maybe 4) great LFS including Coral Reef Shop, Exotics, and YourReef. I haven't been to Aqualife - but they used to be pretty good.

Minh

 

[pbetito]

TY for the kind words Mike. Mine is huge and gorgeous, unlike my camera.... :lol: I would comment on his aggresiveness but my 12 inch Vlamingi keeps the tank in check. I am going to add a HUGE Naso Stremer soon to divide up the world super powers!!! $75 for a medium is a fair price and buying any fish from petco is a sin. They do a HORRID job at keeping the animals alive and kill as many as they sell. I was at the store on Greenback the other day and they were feeding the trigger they had a pinky mouse for fun.... MORONS!!!!!!