Tangs in Central Mexican Pacific

[gusmanda]

Last week I was over in Barra de Navidad, which is more or less in the Middle of Mexico on the Pacific side. Along with the moorish idol and yellow-tail tang which are so common in the area, I saw a darker colored tang, shape similar to most Acanthurus tangs, however I've been trying to research the species and only find yellow-tail tang as the tang in that area. Is anyone familiar with any other species?

 

[WLachnit]

Any pics by chance? I have dived that part of Mexico, but can't recall if I saw what you are describing.....although it was many years ago, so I probably wouldn't have remembered anyway.

 

[Bagabaga]

Ok so googling Mexican tang species and clicking images brings up marijuana pictures. No help there lol

 

[WLachnit]

Ok so googling Mexican tang species and clicking images brings up marijuana pictures. No help there lol

Too funny

 

[gusmanda]

Any pics by chance? I have dived that part of Mexico, but can't recall if I saw what you are describing.....although it was many years ago, so I probably wouldn't have remembered anyway.

No, I did try however this was at the harbor, and the reflection from the water didn't let me take any good pics.

 

[pinnatus]

I looked and saw that these fish are from the area:

Achilles Tang - Acanthurus achilles

Whitecheek Surgeonfish -Acanthurus nigricans

Convict Tang - Acanthurus triostegus

Yellowfin Surgeonfish - Acanthurus xanthopterus

 

[ReefTeacher]

Really? there are Achilles Tangs on the Mexican cost? I thought you needed to be farther west. If we could source them from Mexico, transport might be lest costly and they might arrive healthier.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

When I search yellow tail tang, I just see results for purple tangs. Do you know the species of the yellow tail tang you are talking about?

Is it possible you saw a single species of tang in different stages (juvenile vs adult coloration)?


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[ThRoewer]

Really? there are Achilles Tangs on the Mexican cost? I thought you needed to be farther west. If we could source them from Mexico, transport might be lest costly and they might arrive healthier.

If sourcing from Mexico would be easier... But from what I have heard there is a lot of red tape and without bakshish hardly anything goes.
Three are actually a lot of interesting small fish on the Mexican west coast, but hardly anything gets collected.

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[gusmanda]

Really? there are Achilles Tangs on the Mexican cost? I thought you needed to be farther west. If we could source them from Mexico, transport might be lest costly and they might arrive healthier.

There's several islands far off mainland Mexico, I'm guessing that's where they would be. Most are protected areas.

 

[WLachnit]

If sourcing from Mexico would be easier... But from what I have heard there is a lot of red tape and without bakshish hardly anything goes.
Three are actually a lot of interesting small fish on the Mexican west coast, but hardly anything gets collected.

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I have heard that as well from several collectors. Getting a license is difficult and costly, I believe.

 

[ThRoewer]

The observed tang could be an Acanthurus xanthopterus, A. nigricans or A. achillis.
A. xanthopterus is probably the most likely candidate.
All these have been reported from the tropical Eastern Pacific (source: Reef Fishes of the Sea of Cortez)


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[Winwood]

I bet it was A. Nigricans.

 

[gusmanda]

I'll have to go diving next time I go to sort it out, thanks everyone for the feedback!!!