Yellow Tangs - Wild or Captive-Bred?

Chipper1978 · Jun 7, 2020

I am looking to add a yellow tang and was wondering if anyone has purchased a captive-bred yellow tang. I have not seen one in person, but all the photos look as though they are somewhat translucent (which I am not a fan). Is this really the case? Also, any behavioral differences? Thanks in advance!

Redfoxtang · Jun 7, 2020

I have seen these at some shows. I asked the owner if they would stay that way and he said no. They are only translucent when they are young. When they get bigger they will be full yellow. I have not experienced this just the words from the breeder.

ca1ore · Jun 7, 2020

I think that’s exactly right .... captive bred will tend to be babies, thus the translucency.

Chipper1978 · Jun 7, 2020

Redfoxtang said:
I have seen these at some shows. I asked the owner if they would stay that way and he said no. They are only translucent when they are young. When they get bigger they will be full yellow. I have not experienced this just the words from the breeder.

Thanks! Very helpful!

qhduong · Jun 7, 2020

I have a Biota yellow tang. It was translucent when I got him, after 2 months he gained a lot more yellow and starting to lose the transparency.

Jay Williams · Jan 13, 2022

Chipper1978 said:
I am looking to add a yellow tang and was wondering if anyone has purchased a captive-bred yellow tang. I have not seen one in person, but all the photos look as though they are somewhat translucent (which I am not a fan). Is this really the case? Also, any behavioral differences? Thanks in advance!

Yellow tangs are like this when they are young I actually have a captive bred one got it a couple months back. They’ll get more solid yellow as they grow up. Here’s a photo of mine

i cant think · Jan 13, 2022

While yes it’s good to support CB, it’s also rather good to get WC due to the new ways of catching these fish so they don’t get harmed in the process. And yes WC yellows are still possible, theyre not endemic to Hawaii and are found around Indonesia hence why there are Ywllows x Scopas tangs when the scopas isn’t found around Hawaii.