Adolescent blue tang?

[doctormike]

This guy was in Grand Cayman. First I was thinking some intermediate form of a Blue Tang - they are bright yellow as juveniles and get more blue with age. But I really couldn't find any other example of that with this particular coloration. There is something called a Yellowtail Tang, but those look different, and aren't in the Caribbean. So should I just put it down as an adolescent blue tang? Or does anyone have any other ideas...?

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Michael_Lambert]

It does look like a juvenile Zebrasoma xanthurum ( Yellow tail Tang )

 

[Kukuisa]

I think of the intermediate stage of a Blue Tang (Acanthurus coeruleus).

The CD of Fishes Of The Caribbean says: "In its intermediate stage it retains its yellow caudal fin as the rest of its body changes from yellow to light blue to dark blue."

K.

 

[knotical]

Another vote for intermediate blue tang, based in part on:

Deep Sea Images Stock Library - Intermediate Blue Tang - Acanthurus coeruleus - Natural History Images

 

[doctormike]

Another vote for intermediate blue tang, based in part on:

Deep Sea Images Stock Library - Intermediate Blue Tang - Acanthurus coeruleus - Natural History Images

Yup, I agree... the yellowtail tang has a different profile (long snout) and isn't usually seen near Grand Cayman...

Thanks!!

Mike