Yellowtail blue tang
Zebrasoma xanthurum · Acanthuridae
Also known as Purple tang
Intermediate
Deep purple with a yellow tail; a hardy but pugnacious algae grazer from the Red Sea.
In short: A yellowtail blue tang needs at least 450 L (119 US gal), water at 24–27 °C (75–81 °F) and pH 8.1–8.4. It is aggressive, usually kept singly, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 450 L (119 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 25 cm (9.8 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Reef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Reef safe.
- With inverts
- Reef safe.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 450 L (119 US gal)
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 400 L (106 US gal)
- Aggression
- One of the pushier tangs; add other tangs first.
- Feeding
- Nori clipped daily.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 450 L (119 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 10–20 years
- Diet
- Herbivore — nori daily, algae pellets.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Red Sea and Arabian Gulf
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Rocky algae-covered reef
- Natural conditions
- Strong flow, high oxygen.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- All levels
- Good tank mates
- ClownfishWrassesAngels
- Avoid
- Other Zebrasoma tangsTimid fish
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- No external difference.
- Notes
- Not bred at home.
- Common ailments
- Marine ichHLLE
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