Yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)

Scientific name: Zebrasoma flavescens Bennett, 1828

The Yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) is a marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Pacific Ocean, Ryukyu, Mariana, Marshall, Marcus, Wake and Hawaiian islands. Has been reported off the coast of Florida in the Western Central Atlantic.

Yellow tang care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 22. bright yellow overall (pale in preservative). Sheath of peduncular spine white. Body very deep, its depth 1.4 to 1.75 times in SL. Snout moderately protruding. Mouth small; teeth spatulate, close-set, the edges denticulate. 12 upper and 14 lower teeth in juveniles, and 18 upper and 22 lower teeth in an adult 15 cm SL (Ref 9808).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Zebrasoma flavescens
Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 20.0
Depth range: 2–46 m (7–151 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 46 m, usually 3 - 46 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu, Mariana, Marshall, Marcus, Wake and Hawaiian islands. Has been reported off the coast of Florida in the Western Central Atlantic.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec > 10,000)