Zebrasoma Xanthurum – Purple Tang (M)

The Yellow Tang is, for many aquarists, an iconic fish for the home saltwater aquarium. With its oval-shaped body, vibrant yellow coloration, and lively personality, Zebrasoma flavescens brightens any marine system with color and activity. The Yellow Tang is an active swimmer that will glide throughout your aquarium in near constant motion, acting as an aquarium tour guide of sorts to any onlooker who follows its meandering swim path.

The Yellow Tang’s natural range is widespread throughout the Central and West Pacific Ocean with populations primarily found in Hawaii and south through the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and further west to the Philippines. As such, Zebrasoma flavescens has many common names and is also known as the Citrus Tang (Guam), Yellow Sailfin Tang, or Yellow Surgeonfish.

For best care, the Yellow Tang should be housed in an established, well-filtered aquarium of at least 100 gallons. To best recreate a natural reef environment for your Yellow Tang, aquascape generously with live rock but be sure to arrange your reef aquarium landscape so there are open areas with ample room to swim. Consider enhancing water movement for your Yellow Tang by employing powerheads or wavemakers. Like other Tangs, this member of the Acanthuridae family demonstrates territorial aggression towards its own species, or Tangs in general. Therefore, it is best to keep just one Yellow Tang per aquarium, unless multiple Yellow Tangs are introduced simultaneously into a very large system.

Although the Yellow Tang will eat meaty foods it is important the Yellow Tang is offered plenty of marine-based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen its immune system, reduce aggression and improve overall health. Offer dried seaweed, or Nori by way of veggie clip along with Spirulina or algae pellets.