Tang ID, is this a Fowleri Tang?

[MortalWombatX]

LFS brought in a fowleri tang as I had requested. Now the owner isn't 100% sure it is a fowleri, saying it kept changing colors. I know tangs including fowleri can change color but I want be sure also before I plunk a few hundred on it. So can anyone ID this guy? He's about 4" and very shy. As you can see it's playing dead.










Thank you in advance!

 

[Moort82]

I'm not really a tang guy so wait for me to be corrected but it does look like a fowleri, albeit a very washed out one. I've seen a few at the wholesalers and the blue semi circle behind the gill plus the colour of the dorsal and tail would suggest it is one.

There are a couple of pictures on here that look similar http://www.reeflex.net/tiere/1936_Acanthurus_fowleri.htm

 

[SDguy]

Yes, it's got the blue horseshoe shape behind the upper gill area. This species can change color a LOT due to mood.

Here's mine clearly showing that mark, along with the blue stripe at the base of the front part of the dorsal fin.

 

[MortalWombatX]

Thanks SD, ima pick him up tomorrow then����

The same LFS has a fowleri in their display tank but seems a lot darker, almost black. Does yours ever stay darker color for an extended period of time?

And I also wanted to know the status of your barred moray (echidna polyzona, I've seen your old video and thread). Wanted to know if you would recommend that species in a reef tank?

 

[SDguy]

Thanks SD, ima pick him up tomorrow then����

The same LFS has a fowleri in their display tank but seems a lot darker, almost black. Does yours ever stay darker color for an extended period of time?

And I also wanted to know the status of your barred moray (echidna polyzona, I've seen your old video and thread). Wanted to know if you would recommend that species in a reef tank?

Yes, my fowleri is normally darker (that pic was with a camera flash on). The eel jumped

 

[saf1]

Pretty fish. Never seen them before.

 

[d-man]

I have mine that I got at 3" and now probably 6.5". He definitely changes color given moods, however he's the most docile tang I've ever had. He minds his own business all the time. He's awesome.

 

[d-man]

Peter, you're still in the hobby? Haven't seen you on sdreefs in a long while. Ever get the reef tank issues straightened out? Your tank was one of my inspirations years ago.

 

[SDguy]

Peter, you're still in the hobby? Haven't seen you on sdreefs in a long while. Ever get the reef tank issues straightened out? Your tank was one of my inspirations years ago.

Yup, I'm still around :wave: . Still have both tanks. The reef is just anemones, gorgonians, and a pair of giant clarkia clowns. I don't any interest in going full reef anymore. Thanks for the compliment!

 

[Dromon]

Wow. SDguy your Fowleri is a big boy! Does he give any problems to your Angels or Butterflies?

 

[SDguy]

Wow. SDguy your Fowleri is a big boy! Does he give any problems to your Angels or Butterflies?

No, as already mentioned they are super mellow tangs.