What color is the caudal spine of a Juvenile Yellow Tang?
Answer
Black
Life stage differentiation in the Yellow Tang is clearly marked by the color of the caudal spine, often called the scalpel. In young specimens, immediately recognizable as juveniles, this defensive weapon is pigmented black. This contrasts sharply with the adult stage, where the spine turns white. This consistent biological marker allows observers to readily differentiate age classes in the water. The primary body coloration remains a uniform bright yellow across both life stages, making the spine color the more reliable indicator of maturity regarding this specific anatomical feature.
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