Need help ID'ing this tang

[serpentman]

I am trying to ID this tang. Definitely in the bristletooth family but not sure of the species. At first, I was thinking Atlantic Blue but as it colors up, its developing orange spots on its face and a tinge of yellow on its pectoral fins. In person, its just like a kole minus the yellow around the eyes. Any ideas?

 

[abulgin]

Looks like an adult Chevron or maybe a Striped Bristletooth.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ctenocha.htm

 

[serpentman]

Hmm. sure looks a lot like the striped bristletooth. Its only 4" total in length though, I would think pretty small for an adult Chevron.

When I first got him, he was almost snow white for a week. The guy I got him from had no idea what he was because it was so paled out.

Not a bad deal for $10.

 

[abulgin]

Great find. I agree, if it's only 4" and that color, it isn't a Chevron.

 

[Superstretch18]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15223143#post15223143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
Hmm. sure looks a lot like the striped bristletooth...

Strigosus (striped) bristletooths literally have horizontal stripes on their bodies. On yours, the bars are branching.

Strigosus are also pretty rare in the U.S. I've heard that they are one of the more common tangs in Europe, but for some reason you rarely see them here. Not sure if that's true or not, but you definitely don't see striped bristletooths very often...

I agree that's not a chevron...

 

[Superstretch18]

Oh yeah, and great grab for $10!

 

[aquaph8]

cool fish, let us know if you find out

 

[abulgin]

Like I said above, could be some type of hybrid--these do occur every now and then.