Hi Sam,
There are two sailfin tangs.
Z. veliferum is the Pacific sailfin tang and is reasonably common. In fact I see it nearly everywhere.
Z. desjardini (pictured) is from the Red Sea. At first glance they look nearly identical. However
Z. veliferum does not have spots on the cheeks. The pattern on the dorsal fin of
Z. desjardini makes semi circles whereas
Z. veliferum the lines are just criss-crossing or checkered almost.
So, if a retailer don't import a lot from the Red Sea, then they won't really be importing
Z. desjardini. J&L told me they maybe see this fish, once, or twice a year. Probably depends on how often their supplier brings them in. These fish also tend to be more expensive than their Pacific counterparts, so maybe people buy them less often. One LFS in Calgary told me he doesn't bother bringing them in "because they don't sell." Go figure..
Ironically, when I did see this fish it was at Big Al's in Calgary. This was earlier this year, when I wasn't able to house a new fish.
Now that I AM able, they're suddenly scarce (Murphy's Law).
Shao, yeah please, if you see one somewhere please let me know. Thanks. SWC did promise to bring some in for me, I just have to wait until it happens (later this month I am told). Ahhhh patience is a virtue .... I'm apparently not very virtuous ....
