New Tang ID

ERIC1975 · Mar 3, 2016

So I got this tang from an 3to5 Aquatic, an R2R vendor here.. It was supposed to be a Dessumeri Tang but I don't think it is. It doesn't have the characteristic caudal white spine and the tail shouldn't have too much white in it. The dorsal fin should also be more yellow. What do you guys think?

Kershaw · Mar 3, 2016

Tomoni tang maybe. That's what it looks like. I don't know if I spelt that right

ERIC1975 · Mar 3, 2016

Here are a few pics I found online from PIA. You can clearly see the white spine in these photos even though these fishes are smaller than mine. Plus they are much more colorful.
The one I received is about 5 inches and missing the white caudal spine and much less colorful

I think what I received is the Ring tail tang which is also found in the same geographic area as the Dessumeri but is a completely different species.
Here is an example of the Ring tail tang

ERIC1975 · Mar 3, 2016

So far this vendor has refused to offer me a resolution to fix the problem saying it needs more time to "color up". I was like...these are some very clearly identifiable features on the fish that you can identify where the fish is dead or alive. It's not like an sps frag that will need time to color up!

Lowstorm · Mar 4, 2016

I can see it being dark due to shipping stress. What does it look like today?

Mike in CT · Mar 4, 2016

I think that Ring tails body is a little different shape then yours. I think when yours colors up you should be able to definitely tell.

Chris Adams · Mar 4, 2016

to me it looks like Dessumeri Tang. Fin structure not like the Ring if you look at the dorsal and anal in my opinion. I am not a Tang expert though

FarmerTy · Mar 4, 2016

Kershaw said:
Tomoni tang maybe. That's what it looks like. I don't know if I spelt that right

+1 Tomini tangs are bristletooth tangs and its a dead giveaway if you watch it pick at rocks. It's almost more of a rasping motion than a picking motion if that makes any sense. Got a good picture of the mouth?

FarmerTy · Mar 4, 2016

I take it back, after looking at the striping on the dorsal and anal fins, I think you got it right. Ringtail.

cmac330 · Mar 4, 2016

Could be a juvenile or changing yellowfin tang (Acanthurus xanthopterus), but there is no way that is a Flamefin (tomini) tang.

Chris Adams · Mar 4, 2016

Can you get better pics tail and face/mouth.
ha ha I to was questioning it after looking at more pictures

cmac330 · Mar 4, 2016

Biggest issue is that your fish is juvenile so it is extremely difficult to identify by markings/coloring alone

evolved · Mar 4, 2016

The ringtail has vertical bars in the tail; not something I see on your fish. So I'd rule that possibility out.

sc50964 · Mar 4, 2016

It's a yellow fin tang

sc50964 · Mar 4, 2016

My duss when he was a 4" juvi looked like this. I've also had a yellow fin tang before and it looked just like the op's. The key thing for me are the pronounced yellow stripes on the fins. Ironically, a reputable LFS sold this to me as a yellow fin tang. He told me that's was the name when it was sold to him at the wholesale so he just wasn't gonna charge me duss money.

ERIC1975 · Mar 4, 2016

Well that pic was taken 24 hours after shipping. He's actively swimming around and eating like pig so I don't think he's tress out. Today the color is the same. The body is dull gray with absolutely no stripe/penciled lines. The key is it's missing that caudal white spine. I'm not sure what kinda tang it is but I know it's not a Dessumeri tang. The seller wants me to pay another $100 to ship me the correct fish after he admitted that he sent the wrong fish! I've filed a dispute with Paypal and see what they can do for me. I mean if it's the wrong fish but if it looks at least decent then maybe I can work with it but this one is the least attractive tang I've ever seen.
Here are a few more pics today.