The two sailfin tangs…

i cant think · Mar 25, 2022

I’ve just been reading through threads about both species of sailfin tangs (Zebrasoma velifer and Zebrasoma desjardini) and it left me with this one question. First let’s go through the basics, how to identify them as juveniles and adults.
Z. velifer:

Z. desjardini:

Now, I have probably done this more in-depth so let’s just skim through the photos and see the obvious differences.
- Z. velifer has thicker white bars
- Z. velifer has faint patterns in the dorsal fin
- Z. desjardini gets a lot more orange bars in it as it ages.

Now, onto my question. If Zebrasoma desjardini is a more common sailfin tang to see and have being kept in the hobby, why do we give Zebrasoma velifer the common name of “Regular”?

Smoke-Town · Mar 25, 2022

I have the velifer

I've never even seen one of those yellow barred sailfins. Beautiful though. They definitely aren't common in ny. The kind I have, I see everywhere though

i cant think · Mar 25, 2022

Smoke-Town said:
I have the velifer

I've never even seen one of those yellow barred sailfins. Beautiful though. They definitely aren't common in ny. The kind I have, I see everywhere though

I almost never see the velifers and I love seeing adults because they’re almost never seen over here or even in most places.

Sean Clark · Mar 25, 2022

I am hoping to find a nice desjardini because I prefer their markings. I have only kept a velifer and never see the desjardini around me.

boeingn747 · May 5, 2022

i cant think said:
I’ve just been reading through threads about both species of sailfin tangs (Zebrasoma velifer and Zebrasoma desjardini) and it left me with this one question. First let’s go through the basics, how to identify them as juveniles and adults.
Z. velifer:

Z. desjardini:

Now, I have probably done this more in-depth so let’s just skim through the photos and see the obvious differences.
- Z. velifer has thicker white bars
- Z. velifer has faint patterns in the dorsal fin
- Z. desjardini gets a lot more orange bars in it as it ages.

Now, onto my question. If Zebrasoma desjardini is a more common sailfin tang to see and have being kept in the hobby, why do we give Zebrasoma velifer the common name of “Regular”?

I disagree with the notion that the desjardini is the more common of the two. I would argue that is may be the more sought after of the two but the velifer if far more available and much more common in lfs. The desjardini is one of my personal favorites.

i cant think · May 5, 2022

boeingn747 said:
I disagree with the notion that the desjardini is the more common of the two. I would argue that is may be the more sought after of the two but the velifer if far more available and much more common in lfs. The desjardini is one of my personal favorites.

That’s interesting - I have found it harder to get my hands on a velifer than desjardini. I think for every 5-6 Desjardini’s I’ve seen, I’ve seen 1 velifer.

boeingn747 · May 5, 2022

Sean Clark said:
I am hoping to find a nice desjardini because I prefer their markings. I have only kept a velifer and never see the desjardini around me.

I 100% agree with your assessment. I understand that it is absolutely condusive to the part of the world that you are from, but here in the US, and more specifically the upper Midwest Region, the sailfin velifer is far more common being the cheaper of the two and seems to always be available at the big box stores and the lfs. The desjardini sailfin is much less likely to pop up. Most dedicated marine lfs might have one for every 10 velifer. When they are available they seem to be over double the price for a same sized velifer. I too believe that most people refer to the velifer as a regular becasue of the availability and lower price point. I wanted to also note on this thread but from the original poster that the desjardini comes from Africa and the red sea and each can look a little different.

nereefpat · May 5, 2022

It would probably be more clear to refer to them as Philippine / Indonesian vs Indian / Red Sea sailfin.

I have heard 'common' too, or at least sailfin vs Red Sea/desjardin/Indian

Z. velifer does have a much bigger distribution. Look here:

Computer Generated Species Distribution Map

compared to here:

Computer Generated Species Distribution Map

Edit: looks like my links don't work. Supposed to be fishbase native range maps for each species.

boeingn747 · May 5, 2022

i cant think said:
That’s interesting - I have found it harder to get my hands on a velifer than desjardini. I think for every 5-6 Desjardini’s I’ve seen, I’ve seen 1 velifer.

Where are you located? I am starting to think there may be some truth to what you are saying and it may be related to the location.

i cant think · May 5, 2022

boeingn747 said:
Where are you located? I am starting to think there may be some truth to what you are saying and it may be related to the location.

I’m located in the south west of England, we get more fish from Africa I think - Making the desjardini more common. I may need to double check that though.

nereefpat · May 5, 2022

nereefpat said:
Z. velifer does have a much bigger distribution. Look here:

Computer Generated Species Distribution Map
compared to here:

Computer Generated Species Distribution Map

Edit: looks like my links don't work. Supposed to be fishbase native range maps for each species.

I'll just do it this way.
Z. velifer

Zebrasoma velifer summary page

www.fishbase.se

Z. desjardinii

Zebrasoma desjardinii summary page

www.fishbase.se

dvgyfresh · May 5, 2022

velifer is the only one I’ve seen in LFS

Gtinnel · May 5, 2022

In the states surrounding me (WV) I see the Z. velifer way more often than the Z. desjardinii.

Sean Clark · May 5, 2022

boeingn747 said:
I 100% agree with your assessment. I understand that it is absolutely condusive to the part of the world that you are from, but here in the US, and more specifically the upper Midwest Region, the sailfin velifer is far more common being the cheaper of the two and seems to always be available at the big box stores and the lfs. The desjardini sailfin is much less likely to pop up. Most dedicated marine lfs might have one for every 10 velifer. When they are available they seem to be over double the price for a same sized velifer. I too believe that most people refer to the velifer as a regular becasue of the availability and lower price point. I wanted to also note on this thread but from the original poster that the desjardini comes from Africa and the red sea and each can look a little different.

My LFS in Michigan had a desjardini in their store last Saturday. I was stunned to see it. First one that I have seen in a LFS in a long time. It was small but the price was right too at $60. I would have bought it if my QT was not already occupied. Now I am reading this and kicking myself for not buying it. If it is still there I think I will pick it up.

Lost in the Sauce · May 5, 2022

boeingn747 said:
I disagree with the notion that the desjardini is the more common of the two. I would argue that is may be the more sought after of the two but the velifer if far more available and much more common in lfs. The desjardini is one of my personal favorites.

This is completely correct imo.

I'd guess I see three to one in tanks and shops. When looking for my Desjardini, I could have picked up a Normal sailfin at half the cost and easily available.

Lost in the Sauce · May 5, 2022

Sean Clark said:
My LFS in Michigan had a desjardini in their store last Saturday. I was stunned to see it. First one that I have seen in a LFS in a long time. It was small but the price was right too at $60. I would have bought it if my QT was not already occupied. Now I am reading this and kicking myself for not buying it. If it is still there I think I will pick it up.

They can easily become the most dominant fish in the tank.

Mine just about killed a newly introduced CBB overnight.