I'm looking at purchasing a 2"-3" White Tailed Bristletooth Tang from another hobbyist. Can anyone please give me an idea of how much this fish is worth when sold between two hobbyist and when sold in a retail setting so I do not over spend? Also, feel free to share any enthusiasm or disclaimers about the species as I do not know much except their behavior is similar to a Kole or Tomini Tang, they are expensive and pretty rare. I'll try to include a picture below.
White Tailed Bristletooth Tang
- Thread starter Jade5051
- Start date
CoralsAddiction
Active member
It's $90-$130 in SoCal but that's not uniform throughout the country. Online orders for that fish are $180-$300. Based on the fact that you posted your question here (good to do due diligence) I assume they are not commonly offered in your area. As such, what I would feel comfortable paying for the fish would probably be lower/different than you would based on supply.
DogueDeBordeaux
Member
$89 at PacificEastAquaculture
thebigblue
Member
I got one about 5 weeks ago from Blue Zoo for $189. He was 1.5-2".
Although he seemed to settle into tank life, I never really saw him eat any foods I offered...and I tried EVERYTHING. He constantly grazed on the rocks and glass, but disappeared (and died) after a month. Just kind of wasted away.
From my research I think they are similar to a Kole tang. Somewhat skittish. Prone to stress.
If he's eating I say go for it. I think anything under $100 would be a fair price for this fish.
Although he seemed to settle into tank life, I never really saw him eat any foods I offered...and I tried EVERYTHING. He constantly grazed on the rocks and glass, but disappeared (and died) after a month. Just kind of wasted away.
From my research I think they are similar to a Kole tang. Somewhat skittish. Prone to stress.
If he's eating I say go for it. I think anything under $100 would be a fair price for this fish.
Stevenliu9
New member
bought a 5" fat healthy one from Best fish in Milwaukee for $100. So if this is a 2-3" from another hobbyist's tank I'd pay $60 at best. if he/she won't take it just head down to Milwaukee and pick one up for similar price for a much larger size.
gobolts23
Member
Personally I would rather purchase a fish from a fellow hobbyist that is established and most likely disease free. Also depending on your other inhabitants i would rather purchase a tang smaller since they usually won't be quite as aggressive. My chevron was purchased at .75" and is now well over 6" and is very aggressive.
hogfanreefer
Active member
Mine is a very laid back fish. He is not an aggressive feeder and is out competed by most of my wrasses, my two pyramid butterflies and my watanabe angel. Never bothers any other fish. Beautiful and my favorite Ctenochaetus tang.
White Tailed Bristletooth Tang
I just called best fish they have them they are $130 and 4-5". The hobbyist says his is 2-3" and he is asking $125. I almost prefer a smaller one so I can watch it grow and it won't boss my other fishes around as much. He's owned him for 6 months. Also, I can trust a hobbyist to have a disease free tank but with retail stores there is a considerable risk furthermore it's sometimes hard to verify if the are eating well.
I just called best fish they have them they are $130 and 4-5". The hobbyist says his is 2-3" and he is asking $125. I almost prefer a smaller one so I can watch it grow and it won't boss my other fishes around as much. He's owned him for 6 months. Also, I can trust a hobbyist to have a disease free tank but with retail stores there is a considerable risk furthermore it's sometimes hard to verify if the are eating well.
justinky
New member
Keywords, this is the most skittish tang I've personally owned.
I don't have a lot of hiding places. Like almost none. The tank is in my bedroom and I only spend about 1 hour a day actively moving around the room. I hope it'll be able to find a place where it is comfortable.
Stevenliu9
New member
I agree with the skittish thing. good call getting the smaller one just make sure you don't get another more aggressive fish they get stressed out really easily.
justinky
New member
I have literally one place in my tank that mine can hide, guess where it goes as soon as I get too close/move too fast :sad2:. I've had mine going on 4 months now, hopefully he'll eventually warm up to me. I wish you better luck than I have had.
The tank is rather peaceful at the moment. Mated ocellarus, mystery wrasse, neon goby and splendid dotty back. I'm thinking of adding a blenny and dwarf angel to top off the tank.
Maybe I'll sit in front of the tank for hours on end so it gets comfortable with my presence. I'm sure it will be a pansy but if I can at least enjoy watching it while I'm sitting still on my bed I'll be happy.
Kyuss
Megistered Rember
Not to dissuade you on this purchase as the smaller one sounds what you're looking for, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy from Best Fish in the future (although it's a bit of a hike for you.) Great place & people and 99.9% of the time everything is happy and healthy IME.
I bet some of the 4-5" white tail bristletooths they have now are the same 2-3 inchers I first seen there last November as they got quite a few of em in then.
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