Tang Question

[techigirl78]

At the LFS, they have a "baby bristletooth". When I asked more about it, they indicated that it was a baby naso tang. I can't find any pictures that would confirm what they are telling me. Is a baby naso tang, about 2", really light blue (close to white) in coloration? If not a Naso, any ideas on what it could be?

 

[marrone]

If they called it a BristleTooth them it's in the Ctenochaetus family, which included the Kole tangs, Blue line tangs and a # of others. Bristle tooth is a common name that is use some time as a lot of these fish are very closely related. They do come in small size, so it's possible that what it is as a Naso, even small ones, are in the 3" range.

Here's a link.

ctenochaetus

 

[techigirl78]

That's why I am confused. Naso tangs are in the Naso genus, not the Ctenochaetus genus. I know a Naso will get too big for my tank, but this baby is so cute, so if it stays on the smaller side [for a tang], then I'd seriously consider getting it. I want to find out what species it is before anything.

For a better description, it has a body shape similar to this fish: http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?StartRow=2&ID=59486&what=species. However, it is like a light blue. Could that be a naso lituratus? I looked all over fishbase and couldn't find anything similar. After checking a ruler, it probably is more in the 2.5-3" range.

 

[marrone]

The fish you post is the Ctenochaetus family. There are many different variation of colors and patients so it hard to tell without seeing a picture of the fish. Also Juv color look different then adult colors in some of these fish. It's could also be a Blue tang that you saw.

The Naso tangs are shaped different as most have longer bodies.

Naso

 

[techigirl78]

Do Nasos change coloration?

 

[marrone]

small Juv Naso usually have a light body color with white dots on their bodies. As they get large the dots go away and the adult color start to come and the fish also darken. Uni-corn Tangs also get more colorfuly as they get large and some develop blue lines on their bodies. Vlaming' also develop a lot more color as they get larger.

 

[techigirl78]

Tried going to the LFS to take a pic and the baby tang was gone. Hopefully it went to a good home. Thanks.