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Purple Tang
Zebrasoma xanthurum
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Acanthuridae
📍 Red Sea and Arabian Sea
Deep violet-purple with a bright yellow tail — one of the most desired tang species. A Red Sea endemic, now tank-raised. Aggressive toward other tangs so introduce with care.
Care Guide
Diet
Purple tangs are strict herbivores requiring a diet rich in marine algae and vegetable matter. Offer nori (dried seaweed sheets), spirulina flakes, and high-quality herbivore pellets daily, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with frozen mysis shrimp or other meaty foods to ensure balanced nutrition. Feed small portions multiple times daily, as tangs naturally graze throughout the day.
Behavior
Purple tangs are semi-aggressive and territorial, especially toward other tangs and similar-shaped fish. They are active swimmers that patrol all water zones and may display aggressive fin-flaring or charging behavior when establishing dominance. They are generally peaceful with non-competing species but require ample space to establish their territory.
Breeding
Breeding purple tangs in captivity is extremely rare and not reliably achieved in home aquariums. They are broadcast spawners that require very large systems with specific environmental triggers and multiple specimens to encourage spawning behavior. Captive-bred specimens are now available commercially, making breeding attempts unnecessary for most hobbyists.
Tank Mates
Similar saltwater requirements; clownfish are small and non-competitive for territory
Small, peaceful species that occupy different water zones and don't compete with tangs
Beneficial symbiotic relationship; shrimp clean parasites from tang's body
Similar size and temperament; monitor for aggression as both are territorial
Algae-eating specialist that occupies bottom zones; minimal competition with tang
Common Diseases
Ich (Marine Ich)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Raise temperature to 28-29°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based medications or hyposalinity treatment; quarantine affected fish
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss
Perform frequent water changes, improve water quality, use antibiotic medications if bacterial; remove sharp decorations that cause injury
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite
Quarantine immediately, raise temperature to 28-29°C, use copper-based or formalin treatments; maintain pristine water conditions
Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
Pitting or erosion of head and lateral line, loss of scales, visible grooves
Improve diet with quality herbivore foods and vitamin supplements; enhance water quality and perform regular water changes
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- herbivore — nori, algae, some mysis
- maxSize
- 10 inches
- minTankSize
- 70 gallons
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C