Juvie harlequin tusk

[MrTuskfish]

I don't think anyone is an expert at telling the two apart based on juvies, so don't feel bad. In the newer pic you can see a blue line developing below the dorsal, in person, it's thickest over the orange stripes. He's a great fish, I don't really care where he came from, I'm happy with him either way, it's just fun to guess and document. I have a feeling he may be an intermediate between Coral Sea Aussies and Indo-Pacifics. Time will tell.

Sorry to derail your thread namxas and seahorsedreams. As far as growth rate, they aren't terribly slow growers but definitely not the fastest either. In the same amount of time, my yellowfin tang in the same tank has grown an easy six inches larger.

Some of the tusks from Bali are supposed to have a lot of the Aussie color; but if yours is showing blue along the dorsal----I'll bet he's Australian. You're right, they don't grow real fast lengthwise; but sure do bulk up. Most pics just don't show how thick & robust HTs are.

 

[namxas]

No worries Jason...you're still on topic.

It seems like I've seen Aussie fish with a red margin on the caudal fin (besides the blue dorsal markings).

 

[Irenicus]

LA has large ones as a weekly special until very early tomorrow. This is late for them, they're a summer season fish. I usually stay away from large specimens of most fish, but these large HTs really acclimate well. magnificent fish. IMEO, (In my expert opinion) Packers will carry a 25 game winning streak into next season)

My heart broke on Sunday... not sure what happened to our team; everything was off.

I'm hoping they make adjustments and the play picks up this Christmas at Lambeau.

An Aussie will be my next fish. I will probably have to start with the next season of fish as I have a fish that just entered qt.

 

[MrTuskfish]

No worries Jason...you're still on topic.

It seems like I've seen Aussie fish with a red margin on the caudal fin (besides the blue dorsal markings).

True, and that red border to the caudal fin my not show up until the tusk is 5''+.

 

[namxas]

Thanks MT...that's good to know. I feel kinda like a total HTF noob sometimes, even tho I have indeed researched them over the years (while drooling, if course).

I can't wait to see our little guy/girl in the 210 gal (once it grows of course!)...

 

[anbosu]

Do you guys have water in the 210 yet?

 

[StephLionfish]

I was eyeing this little guy hard... I wanted him soo badly! He'll make for great "before" and "after" pictures.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Thanks MT...that's good to know. I feel kinda like a total HTF noob sometimes, even tho I have indeed researched them over the years (while drooling, if course).

I can't wait to see our little guy/girl in the 210 gal (once it grows of course!)...

I've meant to pass something on to you & Renee for a while; being the Grand Poobahs of spot feeding. (or would Renee be a "Poobahstress? I assume "Poobah" is gender-neutral)

IME, HTs are a good example of fish that are often very bold in a QT, then take quite a while to show themselves when put into the DT. Lots of triggers, especially blue jaws, and many other fish can be the same way. With most of my carnivores, I stick feed during the last few weeks or so of their QT period. During that time, everything they eat must be consumed from the Food Czar. I think this carries over and they are bolder when moved to the DT---maybe silly, but it seems that way to me.
Also; your description of juvi HTs as "cute" is very true. Its a word a seldom use with fish, Mombasa lions are "cute" too. Mine has become a house favorite, ALWAYS up & begging; hard to resist over-feeding.

 

[namxas]

Do you guys have water in the 210 yet?

We've actually both been under the weather for awhile, so things have slowed down a bit, but we're finally ready to cut the hole in the wall for the plumbing. The 4" carbide holesaw shipped on Monday.

After that, we'll connect up the CL to its pump.

We're still debating on lights and a chiller (what to get), but those can be added last anyhow.