The Yellow Tang is one of the most recognized fish in aquarium community. This fish adapts to captivity extremely well and a relatively healthy specimen can easily be picked out by using some very simple guidelines. A Yellow Tang should have no red or significantly discolored markings besides the white scalpel. A healthy tang will be very active, extremely inquisitive of both its surroundings and of people walking by its tank. This fish will rarely disregard dried algae and for the most part will aggressively attack strips of algae or seaweed dropped into the tank.

 

The Yellow Tang is found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans with a very large population centered around the Hawaiian Islands. Like most tangs, this fish will appreciate good water movement and larger areas to swim around.

 

Yellow Tangs like most surgeonfish can become very aggressive towards it's own kind. A Yellow Tang will often become extremely aggressive towards another Yellow Tang or Scopas Tang as both Zebrasomas are similar in body shape and sizes. With that said, in a larger tank it is quite possible to house multiple surgeonfish of different types and body shapes. Yellow Tangs are easily kept with others such as Naso, Hippo and or Kole Tangs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Size	Up to 8 Inches
Temp	74F - 84F
pH	8.2 - 8.3
Specific Gravity	1.022 -1.025
Hardness	8 - 12 dkH
Compatibility	Mostly peaceful although can be aggressive towards other surgeonfish, particularly Zebrasomas. Mulitple surgeonfish may be kept in larger tanks as noted above.
Min. Tank Size	75 gal. with coral, rocks and abundant places to hide
Diet	Herbivore, primary diet should be seaweed and algae but will also accept meaty foods, mysis shrimp and marine flakes
Reef Suitability	Excellent.
Sexing	No significant differences have been noted.
Breeding	The Yellow Tang has not been bred in captivity
Difficulty Level	3 on a 1 to 10 (10 being the most difficult) scale. Fantastic choice for your reef or community tank.