This fish is known as
Yellow Tang and the correct latin name is
Zebrasoma flavescens. The family that this marine fish species belongs to is called the
Tang family. (
e) Origin of this fish is
Pacific Ocean. (
e)
Character and suggestions regarding care
A semi-aggressive fish.
Yellow Tang can grow up to 20 cm what is approximately 7 inches. So 1 specimen requires at least 2400cm
2 of water surface which is approximately 372 square inch. We recommend you to keep it in fish tanks which are large. (
e) Medium aquariums have at least 113 Litres (30 US Gallons). Large aquariums have at least 265 Litres (70 US Gallons). Very large aquariums hold at least 700 Litres (185 US Gallons).
It is not very difficult to keep the Yellow Tang fish. (
e) The specific gravity (SG) should be between 1,020 and 1,025, the temperature between 23°C (73.4°F) and 26°C (78.8°F). The pH level should be stable, varying between 8.0 and 8.3 which is usual for marine fish.
Yellow Tang should not be kept with other tangs and fish with similar colour and body shape, otherwise those fish will be taken as competition and Yellow Tang will bully them. Another problem could be when you put a new fish into the tank. Z. Flavescens will fight with the new fish. So you should put the Yellow Tang into the tank as the last fish, or some aquarists take out the Tang from the tank for a few days while the new fish are new in the tank and only then they put the Tang back. However, Yellow Tang should be peaceful during different situations.
This fish is an omnivore. You should feed them dried seaweed, algae, spinach, shrimps, worms and other meaty food so they have a balanced diet. There should be no problem with eating.
Thanks to
Kenneth Leonard for the picture. Copyright Ken Leonard.

Related fish profiles in the database
- Acanthurus Achilles (Achilles Tang)
- Acanthurus Bahianus (Ocean Surgeon)
- Acanthurus Blochii (Dark Surgeon, Ringtail Surgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Chirurgus (Doctorfish, Black Doctorfish)
- Acanthurus Coeruleus (Atlantic Blue Juvenile, Yellow Juvenile Coloration, Juvenile Atlantic Blue Tang)
- Acanthurus Dussumieri (Eyestripe Surgeonfish, Dussumier’s Surgeonfish, Hawaiian Surgeonfish, Ornate Sturgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Japonicus (Japan Surgeonfish, White-nose Surgeonfish, Powder Brown Tang)
- Acanthurus Leucosternon (Powder Blue Tang, Powder Blue Surgeon)
- Acanthurus Lineatus (Clown Tang)
- Acanthurus Monroviae (Monrovia Doctorfish)
- Acanthurus Nigricans (White Cheek Tang, Whitecheek Surgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Olivaceus (Orange Shoulder Tang)
- Acanthurus Pyroferus (Eiblii Mimic Tang, Chocolate Surgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Sohal (Sohal Surgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Triostegus (Convict Tang)
- Acanthurus Xanthopterus (Cuvier’s Surgeonfish, Purple Surgeonfish, Ring-Tailed Surgeonfish, Yellowfin Surgeonfish)
- Ctenochaetus Hawaiiensis (Chevron Tang)
- Ctenochaetus Striatus (Striated Surgeonfish)
- Ctenochaetus Strigosus (Spotted Surgeonfish, Yellow Eye Kole Tang)
- Naso Annulatus (Whitemargin Unicornfish)
- Naso Brevirostris (Spotted Unicornfish)
- Naso Lituratus (Orangespine Unicornfish)
- Naso Unicornis (Bluespine Unicornfish)
- Naso Vlamingii (Bignose Unicornfish)
- Paracanthurus Hepatus (Blue Tang, Palette Surgeonfish)
- Prionurus Punctatus (Yellowtail Surgeonfish)
- Zebrasoma Desjardinii (Desjardin’s Sailfin Tang)
- Zebrasoma Gemmatum (Spotted Tang)
- Zebrasoma Scopas (Twotone Tang)
- Zebrasoma Veliferum (Sailfin Tang)
- Zebrasoma Xanthurum (Yellowtail Tang)
Recommended readingBy Exotic Aquariums
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Document modified on Sun Sep 28 8:21:30 UTC 2008
Document created on Fri Dec 21 19:08:57 UTC 2007
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