Dec 2011 POTM - Butterfly Fish

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by silentcivilian

Sorry, I was always get mixed up cause ive dove with the false idols too. But I dont have any pictures of false idols.. Though they are thought to be closely related!

Moorish idol is more closely related to a tang than a butterfly

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Moorish idol is more closely related to a tang than a butterfly

????? A tang ???? How do you figure that? They are very simular to Heniochus which is a type of butterfly, however they are not actually related. Moorish Idols are related to Eozanclus brevirhostris.

Pic of a Heniochus acuminatus which is considered the "Poor Man's Moorish Idol".


Quote from Wikipedia

"The moorish idol, Zanclus cornutus ("Crowned Scythe"), is a small marine fish species, the sole extant representative of the family Zanclidae (from the Greek zagkios, "oblique") in order Perciform. A common inhabitant of tropical to subtropical reefs and lagoons, the moorish idol is notable for its wide distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific. A number of butterflyfishes (genus Heniochus) closely resemble the moorish idol. It is closely related to, if not a direct descendant of the extinct Eozanclus brevirhostris, from the Middle Eocene of Monte Bolca."

More info.
http://animal-unique.blogspot.com/20...rish-idol.html

[silentcivilian]

Originally Posted by fishoholic

????? A tang ???? How do you figure that? They are very simular to Heniochus which is a type of butterfly, however they are not actually related. Moorish Idols are related to Eozanclus brevirhostris.

Just to put it out there, totally fist pumped there! I read the tang statement and I was like "Whoa?!?" I will have to look into this when I get home from work. But you did it for me! Thanks!

[MarkoD]

"Identification: The Moorish Idol is not an Angelfish, nor a Butterflyfish, but rather a close relative of the Acanthruidae or Surgeonfish family. A one-of-a-kind Zanclidae family member, this fish is also often misidentified as a Pennant or Bannerfish, which are actually species of the Heniochus genus that are commonly referred to as the "False" or "Poor Man's" Moorish Idol."

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/tan...oorishidol.htm

Tangs are Surgeonfish

[silentcivilian]

What have we learned here today. I was wrong, my bad!

Verdict: Not a butterfly, also the Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) is a small perciform marine fish, the sole representative of the family Zanclidae. So not a tang//surgeonfish for various reasons including its lack of spine on its tail, which defines sugeronfish or Acanthuridae ("thorn tail").

So, back to topic. Did you at least enjoy my photo? I thought it was pretty.

[MarkoD]

I never said it was a tang. Just said it was more closely related to one than too a butterfly

[The Grizz]

Reporting MY pic to bring you guys back to T.O.T