fish can look very different at a LFS

[Gary Majchrzak]

Sorry for the crummy pics- this fish is still very wary and easily spooked so I had to take pics from quite a distance from the aquarium. It appears to be some type of Ctenochaetus (Bristletooth Tang). I left the Yellow Tang in the pic for comparison. This same fish was very light tan (almost white) in the LFS holding tank.

 

[drtango]

That's interesting--a few years ago I bought what looked like a pink "kole tang" at Pet's plus--within a week it had taken on the usual purple coloration with bright yellow around the eyes--and still looks good today.

Wonder if Kole tangs take on a lighter coloration when stressed, fed poorly etc....?

John

 

[dreaminmel]

I've seen Kole Tangs turn almost white at night only to regain color once the lights are on.

Are you able to observe it's coloring after lights out?

 

[Stephany]

Take it back! Tell 'em they sold you a different color!

I was wondering how close to Foster and Smith's picture they truly looked in person. Their pictures look unreal for the bristletooth tomini tang.
So its not diet, just stress then you think?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I've seen pink and/or white Kole Tangs in holding. I think it's a common trait of Bristletooth Tangs to turn much lighter when stressed or sleeping. (Some Tangs get darker.)
I still don't know the exact species of this Bristletooth. It's not a Kole and I don't think it's a Tomini. It might be C. striatus.
It's difficult to see this fish when it's out during daylight right now let alone at night, but I'm sure it will warm up to people in a few months time and I'll get a much better picture. Tomini Bristletooths are really beautiful fish, Steph. MO had one a month or two ago. This fish is similar to a Tomini in a lot of ways, but also disimilar in as many ways. There's no way diet had anything to do with it because the fish immediately turned darker when I placed it in my aquarium.

C. striatus picture courtesy of fishbase

 

[St.james of reefdom]

Looks like a Lavender Gary, Mine did the exact same thing.

 

[moriartiholmes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7293591#post7293591 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
I still don't know the exact species of this Bristletooth.

You know better than to do that

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7293611#post7293611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by St.james of reefdom
Looks like a Lavender Gary, Mine did the exact same thing.

Do you have any pics, Jim?
I've seen the common name "Lavender Tang" applied to several species... in fact, the other Bristletooth at the same LFS was shipped as a "Lavender Tang" .
If you search the common name "Lavender Tang" on fishbase, it gives you Acanthurus nigrofuscus

A. nigrofuscus picture courtesy of fishbase

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

FWIW and future reference here's an article on Ctenochaetus from Reefkeeping Online Magazine:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/hcs3/index.php

 

[ReeferMac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7293591#post7293591 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
I think it's a common trait of Bristletooth Tangs to turn much lighter when stressed or sleeping. (Some Tangs get darker.)

I've seen Mr. A$$hole turn jet black whenever he gets spooked. Was stark white once or twice during a tank move, too (cloudy water, new environment). Line's were barely visible when he was pale, and the first time a lot of folks come downstairs to see my tank, they first ask me about that big black fish pacing back and forth in the middle.
{shrug}

Could it be a hybrid?

- Mac

 

[St.james of reefdom]

Ill look through my stuff and see if I can find a pic or two and send it to you email . I cant figure out how to post stuff..

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7294940#post7294940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReeferMac
Could it be a hybrid?

- Mac

Possibly.
FWIW I believe this fish came from George @ "Sea Dwelling Creatures" about a month ago as an "assorted Bristletooth".

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

same fish but another pic showing some finer details...

 

[jimmer]

gary did you get him at cf?i seen a similar fish there a couple weeks ago.was gonna get it but figured id do some research first

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Got it at MO. The fish was white in their holding tank.