Anyone have a townsend angel?

[littlefoxx]

Does anyone have a townsend angel (hybrid of the queen and blue angel??) Been looking at pictures online, just curious what one looks like in real life since some show the same fish labeled as a blue, queen or hybrid. Mostly just curious about the colorings!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Does anyone have a townsend angel (hybrid of the queen and blue angel??) Been looking at pictures online, just curious what one looks like in real life since some show the same fish labeled as a blue, queen or hybrid. Mostly just curious about the colorings!

So - here is a funny thing - originally, back in the 1970's, the "townsends angel" was any really colorful sub-adult queen angel that shows a lot of orange instead of yellow. These got a much higher price than any regular queen or blue angel. This coloration was based on the fish's upbringing (living in outer reef areas and being brighter in color). At some point, the name became used for the queen/blue hybrid that are more muted in coloration.

 

[littlefoxx]

So - here is a funny thing - originally, back in the 1970's, the "townsends angel" was any really colorful sub-adult queen angel that shows a lot of orange instead of yellow. These got a much higher price than any regular queen or blue angel. This coloration was based on the fish's upbringing (living in outer reef areas and being brighter in color). At some point, the name became used for the queen/blue hybrid that are more muted in coloration.

Ah so essentially if I was looking for a really colorful one a queen angel would have more color than the hybrid? Pictures online are super misleading!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ah so essentially if I was looking for a really colorful one a queen angel would have more color than the hybrid? Pictures online are super misleading!

I think so. The hybrids just look like slightly more colorful blue angels to me, as they mature, they have a small crown.

 

[Mickle]

Search them up on iNat, there are photos of adult specimens verified by knowledgeable people. Juveniles have been washing up on the east coast this year too

 

[backbayreef]

Interesting background, @Jay Hemdal

@littlefoxx - I’m struggling with this as well. I had a Queen before (which I lost due to velvet) and it’s much more vibrant in color vs my current Blue (or is it?). This Blue has a crown, blue rims, and orange/red in the tail. Is it a “Townsend” or no such thing — essentially, just a Blue?

 

[littlefoxx]

Interesting background, @Jay Hemdal

@littlefoxx - I’m struggling with this as well. I had a Queen before (which I lost due to velvet) and it’s much more vibrant in color vs my current Blue (or is it?). This Blue has a crown, blue rims, and orange/red in the tail. Is it a “Townsend” or no such thing — essentially, just a Blue?

I have no idea!! I didnt end up getting either angel. Its super pretty though! The coloring still confuses me though

 

[backbayreef]

I have no idea!! I didnt end up getting either angel. Its super pretty though! The coloring still confuses me though

If you end up getting one, I would go for a Queen, much more colorful when reached adulthood. I thought mine was a Queen but ended up being a Blue...

 

[littlefoxx]

If you end up getting one, I would go for a Queen, much more colorful when reached adulthood. I thought mine was a Queen but ended up being a Blue...

Ah. Yeah I dont think a queen would be good with my sohal and sailfin lol they are bullies

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Interesting background, @Jay Hemdal

@littlefoxx - I’m struggling with this as well. I had a Queen before (which I lost due to velvet) and it’s much more vibrant in color vs my current Blue (or is it?). This Blue has a crown, blue rims, and orange/red in the tail. Is it a “Townsend” or no such thing — essentially, just a Blue?

That's a queen/blue hybrid, what they are now calling the "townsends". Small crown on the nape, light blue cheek spines and a yellow-edged caudal all point to it being a hybrid.

This is more like what we used to call a "townsends":

 

[RabidDragon]

That's a queen/blue hybrid, what they are now calling the "townsends". Small crown on the nape, light blue cheek spines and a yellow-edged caudal all point to it being a hybrid.

This is more like what we used to call a "townsends":

Thats a pretty fish!

 

[backbayreef]

Here is mine

 

[wattsg30]

Here is mine

Still good with your corals?

 

[backbayreef]

Still good with your corals?

Uh - not really but I suspect that I have other issues (possibly metals) so waiting for ICP test result.

This guy and the Blueface Angel have known to eat zoas. I haven’t seen them pick on SPS or LPS though.

 

[wattsg30]

Uh - not really but I suspect that I have other issues (possibly metals) so waiting for ICP test result.

This guy and the Blueface Angel have known to eat zoas. I haven’t seen them pick on SPS or LPS though.

Oh man, what corals are you having issues with?

 

[backbayreef]

Oh man, what corals are you having issues with?

Currently pretty much all of them: hammers, torches, and SPS. Mushrooms are fine. I’ve moved the frags to a separate frag tank for now and they are recovering. Water params are stable: 8.6dKH, 30ppm nitrate, 0.31ppm phosphate.

 

[HOBtx79]

Here is mine

What size tank is this? I am an Angel lover but have stayed away from anything bigger than 8-10" way back in the day. I am looking at either the hybrid (not as common as queen or blue) or the queen (still less common than the other large angels).

I would wonder how one would do with a Rock Beauty Angel even though both are Holacanthus.

 

[backbayreef]

What size tank is this? I am an Angel lover but have stayed away from anything bigger than 8-10" way back in the day. I am looking at either the hybrid (not as common as queen or blue) or the queen (still less common than the other large angels).

I would wonder how one would do with a Rock Beauty Angel even though both are Holacanthus.

Looks like mine is a Blue Angel. It’s on a 450gal tank (8x3x2.5). I’ve recently caught him to be rehomed since he was bullying my Blueface.