Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
| Yellow Tang Zebrasoma flavescens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Yellow Tang |
| Name Lat. | Zebrasoma flavescens |
| Family | Surgeonfishes |
| Family lat. | Acanthuridae |
| Order | Surgeonfishes |
| Order lat. | Acanthuriformes |
| Origin | Pacific |
| Habitat | Lagoons, coral reefs |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Reef Compatible | Yes |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Life Span | 8-12 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 20 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | ~ 700 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 8" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | ~ 180 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Zebrasoma flavescens is the Pacific Ocean north of the equator, from Japan to Hawaii. They prefer lagoons and outer reefs with dense coral cover up to 40 m depth.
Maintenance
They require a well-structured aquarium with plenty of swimming space and a reef structure (hiding, resting and retreat possibilities) with living stones which they can graze on and which act like a biological filter. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free sands, gravels, stones or sea sand of various grain sizes may be used as substrate
Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l | nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.
Diet
They feed mainly on plant food, such as algae and seaweed. The change of diet does not always succeed without problems. The diet consists mainly of commercially available algae and kelp (e.g. nori, caulerpa, kelp) supplemented with high-quality flake or granulated food for herbivores or a commercially available vitamin-enriched frozen special food mix for herbivores. Live or frozen food such as artemia, krill or mysis should only be offered in small quantities. Plant food strengthens the immune system and reduces aggression. Fine coral sand serves as a digestive aid for them
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
It is recommended to keep them in pairs or better in a group of at least 5 animals. To avoid ranking fights, two animals of different size or a group should be put into the aquarium at the same time. They behave hardly within the species, against other surgeonfishes moderately aggressive and can also be socialized well with other fishes.
Sex dimorphism
There are no known external distinguishing characteristics.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
Characteristic of surgeonfishes is the scalpel located on both sides of the caudal peduncle, which can be unfolded from its pocket by bending the body
As reef dwellers, they should not be kept in a fish-only aquarium. When kept in pairs, with sufficient activity (live rocks, large reef surface) and frequent as well as varied feeding, they can be maintained in challenging coral tanks without serious attacks on the corals. However, caution is advised when keeping them together with tubeworms.
If different species are kept together, care must be taken to ensure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements, as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. Newly introduced fish must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Knapp, petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: KUITER & DEBELIUS: Atlas der Meeresfische, Kosmos Verlag; BAENSCH & DEBELIUS (1997): Meerwasseratlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag
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