Tang ID Please

[OrionN]

I got this as a Lavender tang around 8 months ago at between 1.5 to 2 inches. He obviously not a Lavender tang. At about 7 inches at this time. Can anybody ID him. I have a feeling he is one of these 18+ inches tang full growth, and it will not take him long to get there. He is in a 320 gal tank now and I think he will out growth it soon.

 

[Barracuda]

A. xanthopterus - Yellow Fin Tang
As you indicated it grows to be a very large & can become quite boisterous

 

[Dmorty217]

+1^ they get the largest of the Acanthurus tangs, 1ft 8" it says on LA

 

[SDguy]

Maybe it's just the photo, but to me the entire tail looks white, and the stripes on the dorsal and anal fins are faint to non-existent.... doesn't look like a xanthopterus to me. At least not in that picture.

 

[OrionN]

The tail was all white but start to have color, blue inner and back just white in the front. Spike is light in color almost white with dark greenish brown/black around it more in the front. Dorsal fin start o be more yellow/orange and the ventral fin start to have more blue green. Face marking have more yellow lines.
I know he will get huge but start to have spectacular colors. I think I will get him to the Texas State Aquarium within a year or two

 

[OrionN]

I think it is a Acanthurus bariene.

 

[Rea17]

Definitely not A. bariene. It's missing the black spot above the gill and the yellow fins, and blue throughout the fish.

As far as the tail being white goes... It's a tough call because these sorts of tangs can flash different colors. My fowleri goes from the whole tail being white, to the white ring/the rest blue depending on his mood.

My guess with the current pic would also be A. xanthopterus. Is there any way we can get a picture in better lighting?

 

[Barracuda]

The picture shows the typical Xanthopterus coloration. The dorsal/ anal fins have the blue/yellowish strips, the yellow pectorals and developing yellow "eye" stripe, mottled body pattern, and the white/brown caudal fin.

This particular species has the ability to change the color template of the caudal fin and/ or the body coloration, based on the temperament of the fish.

The picture fish is definitely A. xanthopterus, and for sure it is not A. bariene.

Hope this helps.....

 

[OrionN]

He is a young fish changing from baby. Colors just start to come in.