Indian Ocean v. Red Sea sailfin tang

[Dag]

I understand that the Pacific sailfin tang is not Zebramosa desjardinii. I thought the Red Sea sailfin was the desjardinii genus. But what's the Indian Ocean sailfin? It looks to me very similar to the Red Sea. Are there any telltale signs to distinguish the Indian Ocean v. Red Sea sailfin tang.

[Dag]

I think this link answers the question:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zebrasom.htm (http://)

Desjardin's tang is both from the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

Yet the LFS sells the Red Sea for more than the Indian Ocean.

I want it to eat bubble algae. Does one do a better job than the other?

I also don't want it to get too big. Does one stay smaller than the other?

[Poseidon9697]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=323
the pacific ocean tang is Zebrasoma veliferum...anyway look at the site above

[EdKruzel]

Zebrasoma is the genus and desjardinii, or veliferum is the species.
Both are very similar in shape, size and color with only a slight variance in pattern.
Some experts believe that it is the same species.

I prefer the desjardinii. The spots throughout the pattern are amazing when mature.
Even in your 200 a mature Sailfin will look cramped. They look like a serving platter when full grown at about 15''s in length and even larger from top to bottom when the fins are flared.

If it's your only large fish or tang then you should be alright.

Good Luck,
Ed

[Poseidon9697]

i agree i think that the desjardinii is the prettier and more interesting fish of the 2, but you should still be alright with either one.

[Dag]

The issue is not the Desjardin v. the Pacific Sailfin; it's the Desjardin from the Indian Ocean v. the Desjardin from the Red Sea.

[EdKruzel]

They are the same from the Pacific as from the Red Sea.

The Red Sea demands a higher price for two reasons.

1. Shipping cost
2. Red Sea has a higher control over capture methods. Some Pacific areas such as the Philippines are still accused of cyanide capture.

I've had both and each were equally vibrant and healthy.

Take care,
Ed

[Peter Schmiedel]

But did I get it right that you want this fish to control bubble algea??? Can one confirm that. I never heard that Zebrasoma is a good choice to limit this algae. We have more or less good results with the fox face.

[Dag]

Both Calfo and Fenner list the Zebramosa sailfin as a potential bubble control algae device. See Reef Invertebrates and Coral Propagation.