Sailfin tang (Zebrasoma velifer)

Scientific name: Zebrasoma velifer Bloch, 1795

The Sailfin tang (Zebrasoma velifer) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F).

Sailfin tang care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 4 - 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29-33; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26. Smalls juveniles have alternating yellow and black bars. No brush-like patch of setae posteriorly on side of body. Dorsal fin very elevated, the longest ray 2.1 to 2.5 times in SL (Ref 9808).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Zebrasoma velifer
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 40.0
Depth range: 1–30 m (3–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m, usually 2 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique. Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Rapa Island. Replaced by the similar Zebrasoma desjardinii in the Indian Ocean.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.282; Tmax=27)