Yellow Tang

The Yellow Tang is one of the most popular saltwater fish species. This tang comes from the Hawaiian islands and is one of the better marine surgeonfishes for a beginner with a fully cycled aquarium. This tang is commonly carried at most saltwater pet shops and is relatively inexpensive. They have a strikingly yellow color with white scalpel like blades at the base of their tail fin. They can be fairly hardy in a saltwater aquarium that has completely cycled. If you plan on keeping Yellow Tangs, they spend much of their time grazing for algae so have plenty of live rock for them to graze on. They will also feed on dried algae or seaweed attached to a lettuce clip. This tang (and tangs in general) requires highly oxygenated water so make sure you have plenty of water surface agitation and/or air stones.

Use caution when netting a Yellow Tang because of the blades at the base of thier tail fin. The blades can easily get hooked into the net. If this happens, gently move the net back and forth in the aquarium until the tang is released.

Like many marine species, you will have better results if you keep only one tang in your aquarium because they will become territorial otherwise. They use the blades at the base of their tales to slap at each other.

Tangs are especially susceptible to marine ich, which means that it's a good idea to house any new Tangs in a quarantine tank for a couple of weeks before introducing them into your main aquarium.

Pictures

Zebrasoma flavescens - Yellow Tang Picture of Yellow Tang

Saltwater Tang Species Profile and Care Information

Scientific Name : Zebrasoma flavescens

Common Names : Yellow Sailfin Tang, Lemon Surgeonfish, Yellow Surgeonfish

Care Level : Easy to Moderate, good for saltwater beginners with a fully cycled aquarium.

Life span : 5 - 7 years, possibly longer

Size : 7 - 8 inches (20 cm)

pH : 8 - 8.4

Temperature : 75°F - 80°F (24°C - 27°C)

Specific Gravity : 1.020 - 1.024

Origin / Habitat : South Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, Marshall and Wake Islands.

Yellow Tang Locations

Temperament / Behavior : It's best to keep only one tang in your aquarium because they can become territorial with other tangs. They will usually play nicely with others (except tangs) in a community tank setup.

Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : It's not very common for them to breed in captivity

Tank Size : 55 gallon minimum

Compatible Tank Mates : Avoid keeping them in an aquarium with other Tangs.

Reef Tank Compatible? : This tang will do well in a marine reef tank setup. They can help perform a small role in grazing some of the algae that may grow in a reef tank.

Disease : Saltwater Fish Disease - Diagnose, Symptoms and Treatment, a quarantine tank is a must with this species.

Diet / Fish Food : Herbivore, have plenty of live rock and/or be prepared to give them dried seaweed or dried algae using a lettuce clip. They will also accept flake, pellet foods and live foods.

Tank Region : All over

Gender : Difficult to determine, but the female may be larger than males of the same age.

Gallery Photos : Yellow Tang Photos

Similar Species : Tangs and Surgeon Fish

Fish Lore Forum : Yellow Tang Forum

References / Recommended Reading :

"Zebrasoma flavescens". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. November 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.

Fenner, R. M. (2001). The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists. (3rd Printing). T.F.H. Publications.

Michael, S. W. (2001). Marine Fishes, 500+ Essential to Know Aquarium Species. T.F.H. Publications.

Paletta, Michael (2001). The New Marine Aquarium, Step-by-step Setup and Stocking Guide. T.F.H. Publications.

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Tips

From: Sarah
I just got my yellow tang today and I noticed that she was very shy and loved caulerpa.

From: Jake
I was having difficulty keeping this fish alive for more than a day or two. I noticed that they would become a brownish color in the stomach region. My water conditions are excellent (live rock), always acclimated them slowly and my tanks are all fully cycled. After reading this profile it got me thinking about the amount of dissolved oxygen in my tank water. I only had one powerhead but I decided to add another powerhead and also an air stone as suggested. Guess what, the latest tang has not shown the brownish color and they have stayed alive for well over 6 months now.

From: Adam
I got my yellow tang about a week ago and its doing fine. I love the way that he looks at me when I put my face near the glass. It's like he already knows who I am and that I bring him food.

From: Mark
I've had my Yellow Tang for about 3 years now and it has contracted ICH (cryptocaryon) two or three times over the years from newly introduced fish. I do not use a quarantine tank and never use ich medicine or any other medicines in my tanks, but I do keep my water in pristine condition with weekly partial water changes and heavy protein skimming. This tang has made it through these bouts of disease just fine with no medication, just good water conditions and a high quality diet of primarily dried seaweeds that I give it with a suction clip. I don't recommend that others do what I do but just wanted to show that fish can bounce back with good water and a good diet!

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