native fish-based tails?

[MerMel]

who has a tail with a scheme that was based on the inhabitants of their local area?

I appear to be gravitating towards doing that for mine when the time comes.
I'm currently considering spotted sunfish, peacock bass, redfin pickerel, and american flagfish for freshwater, or nassau grouper, blue angelfish, french angelfish, or spotted eagle ray for salt water.

also, anyone have iridescent shine on their fins?

[Merman Dan]

My Finfolk tail, which is still in production, is patterned after the state saltwater fish of NC, the red drum/channel bass.

[Echinacea]

I like the first two - the spotted sunfish and the peacock bass - best!

[PearlieMae]

I don't know if it's local to new jersey, but I love the scales on the arowana!

[Anahita]

I'm doing that with my tail. I picked a fish endemic to my area - that just as luck would have it, happened to also be a color that looks fabulous on me. :D

[MermanZen]

when I'm designing my tails I look for different patterns in different fish to help get a concept of my design

[Merman Dan]

when I'm designing my tails I look for different patterns in different fish to help get a concept of my design

I like to start HERE (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15)

[MermanZen]

:jawdrop: Thanks Dan all the different kinds of fish!!! Opened my mind to new tails!!!!!

[MermanZen]

I've always wanted to try a clownfish inspired tail Hmmmm?

[halesloveswhales]

I was strongly considering doing a mahi tail, but it'd look too much like the tail I already have. But I love the idea of modeling yourself after native fish! It's great way to get business with environmental organizations.

[Mermaid Dottie]

I live in utah, and there are very few fish here with pretty color patterns, but I did find one native, the Bear Lake cutthroat trout. I'm basing my first full silicone tail off of that.

[MerMel]

I've always wanted to try a clownfish inspired tail Hmmmm?

merbellas/Raven did one of those earlier in the year, my jaw dropped through the floor on how awesome it is.

[Anahita]

merbellas/Raven did one of those earlier in the year, my jaw dropped through the floor on how awesome it is.

I remember that tail. It's still one of my favorites of hers.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjfrjPHkANc

[MermanZen]

lionfish themed tail

[MermanZen]

A quick sketch of my idea of a lion fish tail 16593

[Gem Stone]

wow, that lion fish sketch is really cool. that would make one heck of a tail!

[Merman Dan]

Very nice! Finfolk did something similar, but with fewer spines:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1403277_235182343312378_519301783_o.jpg

[MermanZen]

thanks guys I really wanted to see how a lionfish tail would look and I wanted to make the spines a little bit bigger so it has that realistic feel to it. so thanks again if anyone would like me to help them design a native fish tail reply any of your own ideas in the next replies thanks guys. swim with ya later

[Mermaid Gosalyn]

I thought about designing a tail based on an actual fish, preferably local, but I reeeeaaaaallllllyyy want a purple tail, and couldn't find any purple fish with a color scheme I like.

[Merman Dan]

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or other iOS device, you might consider downloading the Audubon Field Guide to North American Fishes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/audubon-fishes-field-guide/id368753140?mt=8). It's a fun way to look at loads of local fish! They also have the Audubon Fishes of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/audubon-fishes-caribbean-gulf/id426717570?mt=8) .

[MerMel]

ooh good idea thanks dan!

Zen, I like your lionfish theme, I think ive seen one or two photomanips in the dozens of pics ive browsed on Deviantart of that with all the spines out...

Gosalyn, I'd love to have a purple in my tail too eventually, with an iridescent sheen that'll also light up somehow like a bioluminescent anglerfish :)

[Mermaid Gosalyn]

I don't have an iOS device because I'm lame, lol.

Mel, that would be so gorgeous! If you figure out a way for that to work, let me know! It'll be Mel's Special Luminous Tail Design!

[MerMel]

i am aware of raven's attempts at such a design using glow in the dark paint, but not of other makers... it would seem to me that its possible to do using fiberoptics encased with the molding as its poured and the powerpack hidden up under a dorsal fin area... but that is way beyond my ability to construct. thatw why ill be buying one rather than DIY

[Mermaid Gosalyn]

Yeah, fiberoptics, and even silicone tails are beyond my powers. I hope someone can work out something like that though!

[MerMel]

I had a thought the other night, has anyone ever done a tail based on a non-fish, like a cuttlefish? i could so see "(just a little bit) Closer" being its theme song. and i would be interested. ;)

[Meemerdd]

I love tails based off of real fish! Haven't tried any local ones though, might make a cutthroat trout tail design.
Bioluminescent design should be done, I'll at least attempt that on my lovely squid tail. XD

Finfolks did one off the Portuguese man of war reciently, that's the only finished tail based off a non-fish I can recall seeing though.

[Anahita]

I had a thought the other night, has anyone ever done a tail based on a non-fish, like a cuttlefish? i could so see "(just a little bit) Closer" being its theme song. and i would be interested. ;)

Seavanna just got her tail from Finfolk based on a Man o' War. Not quite a cuttlefish, but tentacled nonetheless.

[lycrawaterz14]

I plan on having one that is actually an invasive species that has become a pest to my native lake! Rumor has it some pet shop owner released a bunch of Jack Demseys from Florida into the lake fifty or sixty years ago, and now its like a rare prize if you catch one! The look like this and my first silicone tail is based off of it! Only makes sense considering I spent most of my childhood sitting by the lake aiming to catch either one of these babies or a mermaid!
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[Mermaid Nerida]

I designed a tail to look like a rainbow trout! I liked it a lot, but I'm going with something different...26280

There are lots of them where I swim, and they aren't afraid of people, which kind of wowed me. (I almost stepped on one)