Yellow Tang
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| Common name | Yellow Tang |
| Size | The Yellow Tang has a disk like shaped body similar to all surgeonfish, but with large dorsal and anal fins. When the fins are fully extended, the total height of these fish is about the same as the length. Like all the sailfin tangs, they have a slightly extended snout. True to their name, the body is a beautiful rich yellow. Adults reach up to 7.9 inches (20 cm), but are slow growing and long lived in the aquarium. |
| Origin | The Yellow Tang or Yellow Sailfin Tang was described by Bennett in 1828. They are found in the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Hawaii; Ryukyu, Mariana, Marshall, Marcus, Wake and Hawaiian islands. It has also been reported off the coast of Florida in the Western Central Atlantic. In their natural habitat they are found at depths between 10 to 150 feet (3 - 46 meters) in lagoons and outer reefs. They inhabit areas of dense coral and occur singly, in pairs, or in loose groups both small and large depending on the area. Juveniles are solitary and very secretive, hiding among the corals. Though collected in many geographic areas, they are exported mainly from Hawaii. In fact, they are Hawaii's top marine fish export.
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| Compatibility | The Yellow Tang is a great addition to the marine aquarium as it is very hardy and easy to keep. This fish can handle just about any challenge in the marine environment except for poor water quality. Even so it will do best in an environment that provides consistency, not only in water conditions and quality, but also in decor and fellow inhabitants. It can be housed in a fish only tank or in a reef environment as it will not harm corals or invertebrates. It is highly disease resistant and responds well to treatment when ill. |
| Maintenance | A quick and agile swimmer it will spend a good deal of its time in the open water and moving in and out of crevices. Frequent water changes are not necessary, rather normal water changes at 10% biweekly or 20% monthly are fine. |
| Temperature | This species lives in tropical areas. Temperatures between 74 -82° F (23 - 28° C) |
| Water chemistry / movement | All surgeonfish and tangs thrive with good water movement, need lots of oxygen, and love to have the water rushing over their gills at times. Provide strong movement in at least one area of the tank. |
| Feeding | Yellow Tangs are primarily herbivores. In the wild they feed mainly on filamentous algae which they scrape from hard surfaces. This genus can store fat in their body cavities so may go through periods of non-feeding. In the aquarium the majority of their intake will be vegetable matter, but they do need some meaty foods as well. Provide lots of marine algae, prepared frozen formulas containing algae or spirulina, frozen brine and mysid shrimp, and flake foods |
| Sexing | |
| Breeding | Some species of surgeonfish have spawned in public aquariums and there have been a few scattered reports of spawnings in home aquariums, but regular spawnings and the rearing of the young has not yet been reported. Though the Yellow Tang has not yet been bred in captivity, this species has been observed in group spawning as well as pair spawning in the ocean. In pair spawning each males will defend a territory and attempt to attract females passing by. |
| Comments | The great thing about the Yellow Tang is that they are fine in a reef setting with inverts and corals, and they will graze on the algae. They can also be kept in a fish only community tank with peaceful tank mates. This fish is mild tempered and gets along with most fish except others of their own genus. Though unlike any of the other Zebrasoma species, if added with others of its same species when very young they may be successfully kept together. On each side of the caudal peduncle is a single white spine or “scalpel” used for defense or dominance. When not in use the spine is folded down into a groove. Caution needs to be exercised when handling surgeonfish as a cut from its scalpel can cause discoloration and swelling of the skin with a high risk of infection. The pain lasts for hours then still ends up having a dull ache. |
| Marine Fish Index |
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