Mimic Tang Questions...

[BlueNWhite]

Any information appreciated (and pics too!)

I am confused about the Mimic Tang.
1) Is there more than one type?
2) Is the Lemonpeel a Mimic Tang?
3) What is it's final colour? Brown, grey, etc.?
4) Are they as ich prone as the Powder Blues, or less so like the Sohals?
5) Is it easy to get them to eat the first time?
6) What size is recommended?
7) Compatibility issues with other tangs and other fish?
8) Anything else you would like to add. And, oh, did I say pictures too.

Thanks,
Raymond

[Amphiprion]

Yes, there are two common species known as "mimic tangs." One is Acanthurus pyroferus, which mimics Centropyge flavissima or C. vrolikii. The other is A. tristis, which mimics C. eiblii.

Here are pics of Acanthurus pyroferus

Here are pics of Acanthurus tristis

The pics will do them better justice (since I do not have much in the way of words). I am not sure where you got the idea that A. sohal was less ich prone than other Acanthurids. Due to the thin "slime" coat, they are all relatively more prone to parasites like Cryptocaryon. Both species reach under 10", so a 5 ft, 100 gallon (or of course, larger) would be preferable for both species. They are not overtly aggressive like some other Acanthurus sp., but exercise the same caution with any tang. I would provide them with a reasonable mix of fleshy and filamentous algae, as well as plenty of live rock to graze upon whatever they may want. That is about all that I can think of for these two. Someone may have more to add.

[BlueNWhite]

Thanks Amphipion.

It's definitely the pyroferus that I would be more interested in. Do the two types look the same when they are juveniles?

One of the reasons why I am confused is because there seems to be a variation of how they look as adults, even when they are the same type. Am I correct on this?

Thanks again,
Raymond

[Amphiprion]

They can look similar as juveniles, but one mimics C. vrolikii--the other C. eiblii. A. tristis (C. eiblii) has several gold to brownish vertical stripes. A. pyroferus (A. vrolikii) does not have these as juveniles. Also, hte black tends to extend further toward the anterior end in the latter. Adult A. pyroferus tend to be a darker brown, mixed with yellow, whereas A. tristis tends to be a more grey/brown color, without the bolder yellow markings. Yes, there will always be variation in adults and juveniles--that is what keeps things interesting and challenging, after all

[Kahuna Tuna]

There is also a third mimic tang species, Acanthurus chronixis, which mimics the Centropyge vrolikii dwarf angel as does the pyroferus tang. I have a tiny juvenile pyroferus, the all yellow Herald's angel mimic form, and he has been a great fish. He eats well, is very mellow for a tang, and seems very hardy. I was really worried he would get bullied as he is very small (just over an inch) especially by my two spot bristletooth tang but he holds his own and is doing great. I personally think the pyroferus are the best looking of the mimic species in adult form.

[Amphiprion]

Actually, most of the supposed A. chronixis juveniles were misidentified. Most of those individuals were A. pyroferus.

[VSpeck]

My adult yellow mimic tang(mimic lemonpeel angels)


when i had a store i had these come in regularly and never had one that wouldnt eat they are awesome. the others(mimic eiblii angels) i havent had too much experience with but heard they are not bad to keep

[just dave]

Acanthurus pyroferus will also mimic Herald's angel and hybrids as well.

I get some hybrid angels from the Marshall's (Centropyge flavissima x C. vroliki and /or C. heraldi x C. vroliki ) and the tangs will mimic these hybrids as well. It's pretty cool.