Info Believe This Is An Aussie Tusk

[reef keeper]

Thoughts, opinions, grievances and observations always welcome.

This is the one I'm selling

 

[Cliff]

Yes it looks like an Australian. Beautiful specimen. How can you be selling it? Lol

 

[reef keeper]

he's a beauty for sure. I have a lot of big fish lol.

He's a big fish in a shrinking tank. Lol.

On live aquaria they go for 269.99-299.00 USD. what's that Canadian? Near 400 lol.

I have it for sale for much less. It's been in my tank since early summer.

 

[Big_Als_London]

Might be an indo version. The aussie one has a lot more blue in it. What did you buy it as and what did you pay for it might help identify it

 

[Cliff]

Here is a good pic showing the difference

 

[AdInfinitum]

Here is a good pic showing the difference

There's a bit of BS to that image. One is an adult the other juvenile and all of them go from drab to brighter as they mature.

The only actual defined local colour variation in scientific literature is that some Aussie populations have red anal fins which doesn't occur in Indo populations.

As tough as they are, Tusks suffer badly from rough handling, nets, and the less than ethical collection methods employed in many countries. The superior condition, colour and longevity attributed to Aussie specimens is mostly due to the guarantee that they were collected properly.

 

[reef keeper]

The end of his tail has just begun to turn red.

 

[AdInfinitum]

The end of his tail has just begun to turn red.

Red margin on the tail can be found in individuals in all populations of Tusks...

Tusks coloration is highly variable between individual specimens. Contrary to hobbyist myth and popular marketing most variation is not due to collection location but more to condition, dominance and individual characteristics. Unfortunately it is hard to command large dollars for a higher likelihood of health and longevity that comes with well collected specimens than it is to get people to drop dollars for bright splashy colours...so the myth is perpetuated...

Now all you hear about when someone has a beautifully colored Tusk, is how it must be an Aussie that was mis-priced or labelled wrong...and again the myth is perpetuated...

A brilliant specimen is a brilliant specimen and is in itself rare and special and they can come from either locale. With Tuskfish especially WYSIWYG is huge and what really matters. The risk is that a vibrant Indo specimen that was collected with cyanide (cyanide poisoning deepens all fishes colours BTW) will sicken and die usually within a month of going in your tank for no apparent reason although it can take longer...

Tip: if you are looking at an Indo Tusk, look for hook damage in the lip (not bashing damage to the mouth due to poor handlin) any fisherman can identify that type of puncture on the upper lip or side of mouth... As long as it is healing cleanly that is a guarantee that it was collected with a baited hook which is the best for these fish.. no nets, no cyanide, no dynamite...

 

[reef keeper]

I've had him for over 6 months. I paid $160 with tax for him. He was beaten up really badly, with shredded fins and half his tail was gone. He was more of a rescue than a part of my plan for my reef. Apparently they had him in with a puffer at big Als in Hamilton.

He is a super healthy fat fish, and his colours are amazing.

I never noticed a hook mark in his mouth, but I didn't look too closely. I just wanted to get him healthy.

I would sell him for $160 so I do t lose money. He's going into a 30g frag tank today, so anybody thinking about a tusk, now would be a great time to grab one.

 

[AdInfinitum]

I agree he is a super specimen with fantastic colouration that anyone who wants a Tusk should be all over!!!

What his lineage is, in this case should be immaterial... I know that mine is Indo and he is absolutely unreal in coloration like yours and the bluish to yellowish cast to the body changes with mood...

 

[reef keeper]

He is one heck of a fish. And not at risk of cyanide death lol.

 

[teebone110]

how big is he?

 

[reef keeper]

I guess 5-6"

 

[teebone110]

still a baby

 

[reef keeper]

Yup. Not loving the frag tank lol.

 

[reef keeper]

I am surprised it's still here! I saw a similar one for sale for $250!