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Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Acanthuridae
📍 Pacific Ocean, Hawaii to Japan
Brilliant solid yellow tang from Hawaiian reefs. A staple of the reef aquarium hobby. Excellent algae grazer and generally peaceful.
Care Guide
Diet
Yellow tangs are herbivores that graze constantly on algae in the wild. Feed high-quality marine herbivore flakes or pellets daily, supplemented 3-4 times weekly with dried seaweed sheets, nori, or spirulina-based foods. They will consume algae growth in the tank but benefit from dedicated vegetable matter to prevent nutritional deficiencies and aggression.
Behavior
Yellow tangs are active swimmers that spend most of their day grazing and exploring the reef. They are generally peaceful but can become territorial and aggressive toward other tangs or similar-shaped fish, especially in smaller tanks. They are diurnal and prefer plenty of open swimming space with rocky areas to forage.
Breeding
Breeding yellow tangs in captivity is extremely rare and has not been successfully achieved in home aquariums. They are broadcast spawners that require very large systems, specific water conditions, and larval rearing expertise. Captive-bred specimens are virtually unavailable; nearly all aquarium yellow tangs are wild-caught.
Tank Mates
Similar peaceful temperament and compatible water parameters for reef systems
Beneficial symbiotic relationship; tang benefits from parasite removal
Small, peaceful fish that occupies different tank zone; provides cleaning services
Fast-moving, non-competitive species that stays near substrate
Nocturnal, peaceful, occupies different behavioral niche
Herbivorous algae grazer; similar diet reduces competition if tank is large enough
Common Diseases
Marine Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against rocks, lethargy
Raise temperature to 26-27°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based medications or hyposalinity treatment; quarantine if possible
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality and reduce stress, perform frequent water changes, use antibiotic medications if bacterial infection is confirmed
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching behavior, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 26-27°C, reduce lighting, use copper treatments or formalin; quarantine infected fish
Nutritional Deficiency
Faded coloration, lethargy, stunted growth, susceptibility to disease
Provide varied herbivorous diet including nori, spirulina, and quality pellets; ensure adequate algae growth or supplementation
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- herbivore
- maxSize
- 8 inches
- salinity
- 1.023–1.025 SG
- minTankSize
- 75 gallons
- temperature
- 73–79°F (23–26°C)
Temperature
73–79°F
23–26°C