Scientific Name : Zebrasoma Flavescens

Origin : Hawaii, Marshall islands, Pacific ocean

DIfficulty : Medium

Minimum Size Tank :100 gallons

Temperature : 72 - 82°F

Reef Safe : Yes

Maximum Size : 8 Inches

Diet : Herbivore

When it comes to popularity, the marine hobby has roughly 5 fishes that are at the top of the list. They are the percula clownfish (both ocellaris and percula), yellow tang, the blue tang, flame angelfish and the royal gramma.

The yellow tang shares the title of "most popular Surgeonfish" with the blue tang. Its image sees heavy use in advertisements within the marine trade. If i had to rank the 5 fishes in order of popularity i'd rank the yellow tang 2nd behind the percula clown.

It possesses only a single color, but that color is enough make it one of the most stunning tangs in the market today. The yellow tang is fully covered from head to tail with a pastel-like bright yellow. It has no other markings other than a small white blade on its tail which is only used during fighting.

The yellow tang is endemic to Hawaii and its surrounding islands where they form huge shoals. They are a common fish and with their schooling behavior usually witnessed by divers in the area.

While the yellow tang can be hardy once past acclimation, they, like most surgeonfish, are susceptible to marine ich and lateral line erosion.

This species is heavily collected for the trade. They're common nature means they do not cost as much as more uncommon tangs in the market like the Sohal Tang or the Achilles Tang. Juveniles usually go for as little as $30 while adults range between $60 to $80 per specimen.

For a large fish the yellow tang is quite peaceful with other species of fish, making them ideal candidates for a wide range of tank setups.

As usual, any hostility this fish may have is reserved for other members of the surgeonfish clan. Especially when dealing with other yellow tangs. However, large enough aquarium can house multiple yellow tangs. Just as long as there is enough breathing space for them all.

Their shoaling behavior in the wild can be witnessed in captivity as well. They like to play "follow the leader" where they all follow a designated yellow tang to either ends of the tank.

If you're planning on keeping more than one yellow tang always make sure you introduce them all at the same time. Putting one in with another established one will always bring about aggression between the two.

Yellow tangs reach lengths of up to 8 inches.Pretty big fish. They need a 100 gallon tank if you plan on keeping them until adulthood but something like a 150 gallon or larger would be better.

As they are heavily collected, there will be times when tiny specimens as small as 2 inches are available. Resist the temptation to buy these juveniles if you have a tank smaller than the minimum requirement stated above. They will outgrow something like a 50 gallon with ease.

Yellow tangs aren't shy by any means, in fact they are an "open" swimming species that require a lot of swimming space. Every night they will find a spot to bed down in so make sure is enough live rock to provide such shelters.

Note the first video on the right, thats a yellow tang in a 24 gallon. The owner is either housing the tang there temporarily or he/she did not plan ahead.

The yellow tang is a schooling fish. In the wild they form large shoals where they cruise the reef grazing on algae along the way. Great news for those with corals, they are completely reef safe.

Despite the fact that they're primarily herbivores in the wild, they are open to just about anything offered once acclimated. Krill, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, pellets, they take them all.

Seeing as how algae makes up a large part of their diets in the wild, they should be getting large amounts of algae based foods in our tanks as well.

Nori is a good form of algae to feed tangs. Price will vary depending on the brand you choose. Some people may find Julian Sprungs Sea Veggies to cost a little too much. Good quality stuff though. They come in flake form too, making feedings very convenient.

Thankfully there are many other brands that produce nori primarily for human consumption. Some are cheap while the really high quality sheets can be very expensive.

You will need a clip of some sort to secure the nori sheet. You can buy a commercial type of fashion one up yourself. Some people fold the sheets before clipping while others just clip it as is. Use the suction cup to attach it to your aquarium and you're done, you can enjoy the show.

Formula two is a good quality algae based mix for herbivores. It has an extra amount of algae in it along with a good mix of seafood, trace minerals, vitamins and more. It is available as a flake food, pellet or frozen cube.

The best flake food for the yellow tang would be Sea Veggie mixed flakes followed by formula two flakes. It you're looking a great all rounder with balanced ingredients then you can't go wrong with New Life Spectrum pellets.

Never feed your tangs lettuce. I see this happening mainly in pet stores, probably trying to save a buck or two. Lettuce doesn't have a place in this hobby as nutritionally its rubbish.

The yellow tang is a pelagic spawner. The male and the female will release sperm and eggs into the water column after a courting ritual, much like angelfish.

They have not been bred in captvity to date and its looking like a very difficult endeavour even for large scale breeding facilities.