Anthias identification

revclyburn · 03/30/2006, 09:12 AM

Hello

I found these 2 at a lfs, and decided to save them. I don't go there often, and mainly just to see what they have, which is usually nothing I want. But for 24 bucks, I consider the purchase a steal, especially for any type of anthias.

I wanted to better id these fish, as I try to be knowledgable of what I have in my tank. I have heard they are dispar's, but not sure of that. So, can some of the best reefers ever help me?

here they are:

RevClyburn

afishyonados · 03/30/2006, 09:19 AM

They look like a Mirolabrichthys tuka type. There are different color morphs. Also known as the Purple Queen and possible Tiger Tuka.

SDguy · 03/30/2006, 09:20 AM

Those look like tilefish to me. Look at the mouth.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tilefishes.htm

afishyonados · 03/30/2006, 09:30 AM

SDguy may be onto something...Glad I didn't say I was positive. The juvenile forms of the anthias do not have as pronounced a probiscus as the adults, it is more rounded, like the tilefish...
Looks like we'll have to wait for an expert to step up!

revclyburn · 03/30/2006, 09:35 AM

But you guys ARE the experts, lol.

RevClyburn

Amphiprion · 03/30/2006, 09:38 AM

Not an expert, but Malacanthids have a pronounced opercular spine (or a sharper projection) that can separate them from many fish. If these fish have a smooth operculum (gill cover), then they are most likely an Anthiine

SDguy · 03/30/2006, 09:44 AM

How big are they? They look a bit large to be "juvenile" anthias, so much so that species ID is unclear, anyway.

revclyburn · 03/30/2006, 10:09 AM

Say about 2 1/2 inches

edwin

SDguy · 03/30/2006, 02:00 PM

Yeah, that's what I thought. That's pretty big for most any of the anthias to remain unidentifiable due to being young. I vote tilefish. Great fish, btw. Similar feeding care as anthias. Can be jumpers though!

03/30/2006, 09:12 AM	#1
revclyburn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Neptune, N.J. Posts: 1,853	Anthias identification Hello I found these 2 at a lfs, and decided to save them. I don't go there often, and mainly just to see what they have, which is usually nothing I want. But for 24 bucks, I consider the purchase a steal, especially for any type of anthias. I wanted to better id these fish, as I try to be knowledgable of what I have in my tank. I have heard they are dispar's, but not sure of that. So, can some of the best reefers ever help me? here they are: RevClyburn __________________ " In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God" Robert F. Kennedy Current Tank Info: One day I'll get it right. 55 Gallon, reef, softies, gorgorians, ricordia, EVENTUALLY!

03/30/2006, 09:20 AM	#3
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Those look like tilefish to me. Look at the mouth. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tilefishes.htm __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

03/30/2006, 09:35 AM	#5
revclyburn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Neptune, N.J. Posts: 1,853	But you guys ARE the experts, lol. RevClyburn __________________ " In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God" Robert F. Kennedy Current Tank Info: One day I'll get it right. 55 Gallon, reef, softies, gorgorians, ricordia, EVENTUALLY!

03/30/2006, 09:38 AM	#6
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	Not an expert, but Malacanthids have a pronounced opercular spine (or a sharper projection) that can separate them from many fish. If these fish have a smooth operculum (gill cover), then they are most likely an Anthiine __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

03/30/2006, 09:44 AM	#7
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	How big are they? They look a bit large to be "juvenile" anthias, so much so that species ID is unclear, anyway. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

03/30/2006, 09:19 AM	#2
afishyonados Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sumter, SC Posts: 459	They look like a Mirolabrichthys tuka type. There are different color morphs. Also known as the Purple Queen and possible Tiger Tuka.

03/30/2006, 09:30 AM	#4
afishyonados Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sumter, SC Posts: 459	SDguy may be onto something...Glad I didn't say I was positive. The juvenile forms of the anthias do not have as pronounced a probiscus as the adults, it is more rounded, like the tilefish... Looks like we'll have to wait for an expert to step up!

03/30/2006, 10:09 AM	#8
revclyburn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Neptune, N.J. Posts: 1,853	Say about 2 1/2 inches edwin __________________ " In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God" Robert F. Kennedy Current Tank Info: One day I'll get it right. 55 Gallon, reef, softies, gorgorians, ricordia, EVENTUALLY!

03/30/2006, 02:00 PM	#9
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Yeah, that's what I thought. That's pretty big for most any of the anthias to remain unidentifiable due to being young. I vote tilefish. Great fish, btw. Similar feeding care as anthias. Can be jumpers though! __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.