Yellow tang

[Mappelbaum37]

I plan on getting a yellow tang for my 75 gal. tank soon and was just curious what that white/yellow line is in the middle of them. Not all the yellow tangs have the line in the middle of their body but most of the pics I see and all the ones in my lfs have it. What does it mean?

 

[thor32766]

they show that more when they are stressed.

 

[mcmxc17]

Do you mean by the tail? That is the cartiledge spike they use to defend/attack, the other possibility, if it runs laterally, it could HLLE (Head and lateral line errosion)

 

[LukFox]

Mcmxc17, I'm pretty sure the poster meant the lines I circled in red.

The camera flash makes it look more obvious than it is IRL, but they're still clearly there. I've seen only a few yellow tangs that didn't have this bar, and I don't know what it means. I wouldn't think it's that important since the vast majority of yellows have this bar even in great conditions.

I've always wondered the reason too, but never found any answers. I've seen a couple yellows with no bars shortly after they came in at my LFS, so I don't think it's stress related if the bar isn't there in the first place, seeing as the barless tangs at my LFS didn't have time to get comfortable before I saw them.

 

[happyface888]

Anyone got some pics of the barless yts?

 

[pmjfuture]

i never paid attention to it before but now i see it on mine to.

i was just happy not to have the hlle

 

[Mappelbaum37]

ya thats exactly what Im talking about lukfox. Im probaly gonna get a yellow after i finish adding a few corals to the tank

 

[Mappelbaum37]

A lot of the tangs in my LFS have pinched stomachs and I was told that it means they probaly had a rough journey and refused to eat. If I watch a YT eat in the store should I buy it or do you think it would be too stubborn to eat in my tank?

 

[Mappelbaum37]

???

 

[xxseawolf]

if they eat and show no signs of ick(not scraping on the rocks or glass) you will be ok. most yellow tangs ive seen have that bar. good luck.

 

[Mappelbaum37]

does anyone have a yellow tang???

 

[LukFox]

Lots of people own yellow tangs. Do you mean does anyone own a yellow tang without the bar?

I don't see why it would be too stubborn to eat in your tank. If it eats at your LFS it should be fine to take home. They're hardy fish.

 

[xtm]

The white "bar" on the yellow tang is normal. I have YET to see a yellow without that bar. (this is especially obvious at night when they're sleeping - go figure) On Purple tangs, this is a deep dark purple "bar".

 

[black_majik]

Sign of domiance or age I have heard

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10922304#post10922304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mappelbaum37
A lot of the tangs in my LFS have pinched stomachs and I was told that it means they probaly had a rough journey and refused to eat. If I watch a YT eat in the store should I buy it or do you think it would be too stubborn to eat in my tank?

Do NOT buy Tangs with pinched stomachs. It's already difficult to keep a YT fat.. let alone starting from a thin specimen.