Show me your Mimic Tangs!

That's good to hear. Err...the part about you believing them to NOT be delicate.

I haven't had any issues keeping other new additions quite happy so I'm hoping it was a fluke thing. But since then I've been testing a lot to make sure things don't get out of line. I'm waiting a while before I try another.
 
Here is mine, I think he used to be a Half-Black Mimic. He seems more of a dark gray / black, then a brownish. and if I look close, I can see maybe the orange that used to go around the eye. my cam, and lighting sucked when I took the pics. I will have to try and take a new one.

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I am very interested in these guys and know a lot about them, mostly working on their genetics but also on behavior and ecology.

The most accepted reason for the mimicry is that they gain a feeding advantage. Basically, by looking like an angelfish they are not harassed by territorial damselfish and can feed inside their territories! Their nutrition is between 30 and 50% better in quality than other surgeonfish species living in the same area.
 
I'm again bringing this thread back to life, just in case anyone wants to add their photos or thoughts about the two species of mimic tangs.

I am still considering one, although I went with a 93 gallon cube instead of a 120. The longest uninterupted swimming dimension of the tank is 4.25' Out of the herbivores that I am considering for the tank (one spot foxface, Siganus unimaculatus; bristletooth tangs, Ctenochaetus spp.; and the mimic tangs), the mimics are my favorite. I'm just not sure which fish would be best suited for the tank.
 
Beautiful fish. Since they're relatively peaceful for a tang, I may consider the mimic as my first inhabitant for my new 180g. Then a few weeks later, followed by maybe a yellow tang.
 
I'm again bringing this thread back to life, just in case anyone wants to add their photos or thoughts about the two species of mimic tangs.

I am still considering one, although I went with a 93 gallon cube instead of a 120. The longest uninterupted swimming dimension of the tank is 4.25' Out of the herbivores that I am considering for the tank (one spot foxface, Siganus unimaculatus; bristletooth tangs, Ctenochaetus spp.; and the mimic tangs), the mimics are my favorite. I'm just not sure which fish would be best suited for the tank.

I wouldn't put a one spot foxface in a 4' tank - they get large quickly and take up a lot of "bio-space." I had one in my 180 and he was 8-9" long before I sold him.
 
Thanks Monkeyfish. This is why I am asking for people's experiences... The maximum size for a one-spot fox is listed as 7". I couldn't remember if the large foxfaces that I have seen were Siganus unimaculatus (the one-spot fox) or Siganus vulpinus (often called the foxface lo.) Most rabbitfish out there have a maximum size of over 10 inches. The maximum size for the mimic tangs is listed as 10"; I'm not sure how many attain that length.
JHemdal had a post about creating a ratio between the maximum length of the fish and the longest amount of open linear space in the tank, and for active swimmers to make sure that ratio was no smaller than 1:5; the longest continuous linear span in my tank is 51"... but it is hard to imagine a 10" fish in that tank. So... Since it would be the last fish to go in, I have some time to continue my research. In the meantime, I really enjoy these mimic tang photos!
 
I was giving consideration to putting a 4~5" mimic in my 90 with a pair of Spotbreast Angels. My concern is the Male. He is 6"+ and I don't know if it would work out. ....don't think I want to risk it.
 
any issue combining the mimic with a powder blue? i know they are both Acanthurus. (i've seen folks do this in larger tanks, but my display is only 200g...?)

I know this is in old question, but seeing as the thread has already been dragged back from the depths . . .

I've kept my Mimic with a PBT for the last 18 months in a 150 gallon with no aggression between the two. The Mimic was added first as I have had it for about 3 years now and I added the PBT when I upgraded to the 150.

Some pics of course :inlove:

IMG_9167netsize.jpg


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and the PBT that shares the tank

IMG_0698netsize.jpg


Cheers,
Dave.
 
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