Powder Brown, White Cheek confusion

[El Langostino]

It seems to be that I've noticed a good bit of confusion in terms of identification of the Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus Japonicus) and the White Cheek Tang (Acanthurus Nigricans)

First of all you'll see people often assign the wrong latin name with the wrong common name, i.e. calling A. Japonicus a white cheek.

Also, I've noticed conflicting reports of hardiness and adaptability to aquaria confines. Scott Michael seems to believe that the White Cheek Tang (Acanthurus Nigricans), is much hardier than the Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus Japonicus). Whereas, numerous other pages such as wet web media I believe, have stated that the Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus Japonicus), is much hardier than the White Cheek Tang (Acanthurus Nigricans).

What's the true story here?

 

[El Langostino]

...The real confusion is in that lots of vendors improperly refer to A. Japonicus as the white cheek. Just found that information on wet web.

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


so that cleared up...now then....


I was just wondering if A. Japonicus is less aggressive than a Powder Blue and more hardy. Does anyone have any personal experiences?

Thanks

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

I call my Japonicus a White FACE Tang which is the correct name...everywhere I see, they are referred to as Powder Browns




I can't say they are easier than the Powder Blue, never had one of those They are supposed to be hardier. Mine, so far, does not seem too aggresive, but that may change as it grows.
I have battled ich, some wierd infection and now I am battling some type of worm or fluke on this fish. I tought I had kicked whatever it is and added him and a Hippo from another qt to my 125...now both have this worm issue

On a brighter note its a beautiful fish! if you do get one, make sure you quarentine for 4 weeks...Ancanthurus species are VERY ich prone!!

 

[Denadai]

I have an Acanthurus Nigricans now and he is doing fine ( I bough him 10 days ago )

I also had two Powder Blues...one die in 10 days...and the other die after 1 year.....

Regards

 

[tibbs2]

I have the Arcanthus Japonicus aka White Faced Tang. The other one is known as the Powder Brown. The Japonicus has a more oval body shape than the Powder Brown, which has a shape almost exactly like the Powder Blue. I Haven't had any issues with it so far. Bob Fenner says in his book this is the fish that is easy to care for and Scott Michael says in his book that this is the fish with poor survivability. I guess they are differences of opinion.

 

[El Langostino]

thanks for the information everyone, now I just need to decide on what I'd like to try =P

 

[El Langostino]

I think the best common name to clear up any confusion would be the Japanese Surgeonfish.

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7078299#post7078299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by El Langostino
I think the best common name to clear up any confusion would be the Japanese Surgeonfish.

Yes. The adjective "japonicus" is basically a derived word meaning Japanese.

 

[El Langostino]

lol, FOR REAL!?!?! I never would have guessed that! (pretty obvious it's the latin for Japanese) btw, I've taken latin and Japanese, and my parents live in Tokyo =P

 

[Amphiprion]

I love the language. Did you study "church" style latin or Roman style latin (i.e. De Bello Gallico)?

 

[El Langostino]

I only took a year of Latin back in high school and actually find it pretty pointless to take unless you just have plenty of time on your hands. It might possibly help you a bit if you endeavor to learn a modern romance language, but is pretty unnecessary. Any Language with 7 different noun cases as Latin has is really a nightmare to learn. Honestly, German is difficult enough with just 4. Many Slavic languages have 6, and the two non indo european tongues that belong to the finno-ugric family, Hungarian and Finnish having 14, are probably two of the most difficult langauges in the entire world that are nearly impossible for a non-native speaker to learn

 

[Amphiprion]

It is pointless for the most part. I took 4 years and actually (I know, I know) found it kind of fun . Ended up being a Nat'l Latin scholar...don't know what I'll do with it now though . I haven't used it since and have "lost" quite a bit of it.

 

[El Langostino]

Also, in addition to the fact that it is rather difficult even if you could actually feasibly speak it you are only able to converse in it with the likes of the spirits of Hadrianus and Lucius Accius. THe vast majoirty of the time, it's not really taught for obvious reasons as a spoken language. That's why I say feasibly....even if you did learn it, and decided to speak to the roman ruins or more practically the walls in your room...the classical latin pronunciation guide we have today is incomplete and innacurate at best.

 

[Amphiprion]

I completely agree.

 

[El Langostino]

4 years, impressive. I'm certain you know much more Latin than I do. You should build on that and go study a modern romance language. I know quite a bit of Spanish, Italian, and am able to understand a decent amount of Portuguese. I never really learned any French or Romanian though.

 

[Amphiprion]

I don't know of anywhere I could go to take more classes. Nowhere around here (hickville) offers the language. I wouldn't mind learning more, but I only find myself picking various words apart as it is. It is almost annoying to sit there and think, "hey, that stems from xxxare, which usually means x." I have to stop myself from doing it all the time.

 

[El Langostino]

lol, that's a bit harsh in terms of criticism against your state. I mean, admittedly it's not the most developed state in the country but Huntsville is really not that bad for a small city. I accompanied my father on a business trip there once. In the southeast, the obvious population concentration is in Georgia and Florida and all the benefits that come along with that such as good schools, technology, modern amenities, etc. are nice. But there is still more in Alabama than in Mississippi; no offense to anyone in the Magnolia state either. I've had good experiences and met friendly people everywhere my travels have taken me in the region.

 

[Amphiprion]

:lol: Not the state as a whole, just LA (i.e. Lower Alabama). J/K, God knows I love my home.