Battle of the sailfin tangs: Sailfin vs Desjardini tang

[Miami Reef]

With similar temperaments, size, and coloration - It’s understandable that people can get these 2 fish mixed up.

But they are different!

Which one would you choose solely for appearance sake?

Sailfin:

Sailfin Desjardini:

 

[JumboShrimp]

I have never owned either... but from your photos, “Sailfin.”

 

[Miami Reef]

I have never owned either... but from your photos, “Sailfin.”

I updated the photos but you posted before I had a chance to submit! You are quick!

 

[Not an IT guy]

Desi

 

[JumboShrimp]

AHAHAHAHA! You added photos after my vote. I’m crying “foul” and want a Florida hanging-chad re-count.

 

[ssunthar]

Sailfin Desjardini. In this part of the world (south asia), we commonly see Sailfin (yellow tail).

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Just added a DJ today.

 

[Dbichler]

Desjardini is one of my favorite fish I have

 

[Eagle_Steve]

My des over a regular SF.
13 years old and a wonderful fish.

 

[G Santana]

As I only have a 130 gallon, I will never own either in this tank, but if I was ever going bigger it would be...

 

[blaxsun]

What's the main difference? Sailfins are more yellow? I always thought mine was a sailfin but it more closely resembles a desjardini.

 

[Zionas]

Wow 13 years old. Congrats. How big is it?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Wow 13 years old. Congrats. How big is it?

about 12", maybe a little more. They report that they get to 16" or so full grown, but as we know, that number is an "up to" and not always correct. At 13 years, I think it is full grown now lol.

 

[nereefpat]

What's the main difference? Sailfins are more yellow? I always thought mine was a sailfin but it more closely resembles a desjardini.

Philippine has a yellow tail and fewer/wider stripes is the easiest way to tell. Got a pic?

 

[Zionas]

Still you got a nice one and it’s a nice size lol. The Six Bar Angel grows to like 18” but the 41-year old (in 1986) specimen in France was brought in at 5” and topped out at about 12”.

 

[Reefing102]

On purely aesthetics, I’d go with Des

 

[Zionas]

I give a slight edge to the Des.

 

[blaxsun]

Philippine has a yellow tail and fewer/wider stripes is the easiest way to tell. Got a pic?

Not a recent one, but he looks like a desjardinis (I also know he came from around the Philippines).

 

[Gtinnel]

I'd pick the Desjardini because as an adult it's better looking and as a juvenile it way better looking

 

[nereefpat]

Not a recent one, but he looks like a desjardinis (I also know he came from around the Philippines).

There is some overlap, but Z. desjardinii won't be found that far East.