Yellow Tang

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceMid-size tank

  Needs a mid-size aquarium with room to swim.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment15–30 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Nutritional deficiency

The Yellow Tang hails from the reefs of Hawaii and the wider Pacific, reaching about 20 cm and living remarkably long lives of 20 years or more with good care. By night its color fades and a lateral stripe appears. A sharp white scalpel at the tail base gives surgeonfish their name. Because they are active grazers, provide a minimum 285-litre (75-gallon) tank with open swimming lanes at 24-26C, salinity 1.024-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4. Their diet must be algae-rich: offer dried nori sheets daily plus marine herbivore preparations and some meaty foods. They are reef-safe and generally peaceful, but house only one tang per tank unless it is very large. Watch closely for ich, to which tangs are prone.

• How active is a Yellow Tang?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Yellow Tang need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Yellow Tang need?

  Mid-size tank. Needs a mid-size aquarium with room to swim.

• Is a Yellow Tang a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Yellow Tang live?

  15–30 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Yellow Tang?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Nutritional deficiency. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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