| The Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma Flavescens) is one of | | | | 2 to 3 inches and kept in tanks as small as 30 gallons. |
| the most recognizable fishes in the marine aquarium | | | | They will quickly outgrow such tanks, leaving the |
| industry along with the blue tang, percula clownfish | | | | owner with the headache of finding a buyer for it, or |
| and the flame angelfish. It is also the most popular | | | | finding a larger aquarium to house it. |
| tang in the surgeon fish family and its very easy to | | | | Live rock is needed for shelter despite the fact that |
| see why. Its entire body is a stunning pastel like | | | | are a brave "open" swimmer. |
| yellow. | | | | The yellow tang grazes on live rock throughout the |
| The yellow tang is commonly collected from Hawaii | | | | day as it forms huge shoals in the wild. They feed |
| and the nearby islands. Once acclimated the yellow | | | | mainly on algae so such foods should be offered |
| tang is a hardy fish that is peaceful with other fishes | | | | frequently. {Ensure they get enough algae based |
| (Outside of the tang family) which makes it a popular | | | | foods in captivity as algae makes up the bulk of their |
| choice for community aquariums. | | | | diet in the wild}. Unlike marine angelfish, they are |
| Care should be taken when choosing specimens as | | | | completely reef safe and do not bother corals, one |
| most tangs and surgeon fish are itch magnets and | | | | of the reasons why they're so popular in marine reef |
| also susceptible to lateral line erosion. | | | | aquariums. |
| The yellow tang is heavily traded in the live fish | | | | Seaweed/Nori sheets are a great food for tangs. |
| market, with juveniles going for about $30 to $40 | | | | You can either buy seaweed produced and packaged |
| while adults retail for about $60 to $70 per specimen. | | | | specifically for marine fishes (Julian sprungs sea |
| A peaceful fish, the yellow tang does not normally | | | | veggies) or you can go to your local supermarket |
| bully larger or smaller tank mates. Making it an | | | | and buy some nori sheets there. Be sure to get |
| attractive candidate for all aquariums. | | | | unflavoured nori. |
| When keeping multiple tangs it is important to | | | | They will normally consume anything that is offered |
| provide enough space for all of them or there might | | | | in captivity despite being strict herbivores in the wild. |
| be aggression between them. | | | | So they should be fed not just greens but a wide |
| In they wild they are a schooling fish and such | | | | variety of items. |
| behavior can be witnessed in captivity. | | | | They should be fed good alga and seafood mixes like |
| If more than one is desired they should be | | | | Formula One and Formula Two by Ocean Nutrition as |
| introduced into the tank at the same time. | | | | well as a good pellet. New Life Spectrum produces |
| The Yellow Tang can reach up to 8 inches in length | | | | some excellent pellets for all marine fishes. |
| so its best to stick with larger tanks. Nothing smaller | | | | Many fish stores can be seen giving their tangs |
| than a 100 gallons should be used, 150 gallon or bigger | | | | lettuce to nibble on. Never feed your tangs lettuce. |
| is recommended. | | | | Nutritionally they do not offer much to the tang |
| This popular fish is all too often bought when they're | | | | (Iceberg or Romaine lettuce). |