Yellow tang
Zebrasoma flavescens · Acanthuridae
Also known as Lemon tang
Intermediate
A bright yellow algae grazer that needs swimming length far more than gallons of depth.
In short: A yellow tang needs at least 340 L (90 US gal), water at 24–27 °C (75–81 °F) and pH 8.1–8.4. It is semi-aggressive, usually kept singly, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 340 L (90 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 20 cm (7.9 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Reef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Reef safe; grazes algae off rock, not coral.
- With inverts
- Reef safe.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 340 L (90 US gal)
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 300 L (79 US gal)
- Aggression
- Scalpel-armed and territorial towards similar tangs.
- Feeding
- Constant grazing — clip nori daily.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 340 L (90 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 10–30 years
- Diet
- Herbivore — nori sheet daily plus algae-based pellets.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Hawaii and the central Pacific
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Rocky reef with heavy algae growth
- Natural conditions
- High flow, high oxygen, pristine water.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- All levels
- Good tank mates
- ClownfishWrassesFoxfaceCardinalfish
- Avoid
- Other Zebrasoma tangsSmall timid fish in cramped tanks
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- No reliable external difference.
- Notes
- Not bred in home aquaria.
- Common ailments
- Marine ichHead and lateral line erosionNutritional deficiency
Will it fit your tank?
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