🟡 Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)

The Yellow Tang is one of the most iconic and popular marine fish in the hobby. Known for its brilliant yellow coloration that doesn't fade with age, this hardy tang is an excellent algae grazer and a showpiece for medium to large reef aquariums.

📋 Quick Facts

🏠 Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: 100 gallons minimum; larger is better for swimming
• Aquascape: Open swimming areas with rockwork for grazing and hiding
• Water Flow: Moderate to strong
• Lighting: Any; promotes algae growth for grazing

Water Parameters

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

Yellow Tangs are primarily herbivores and require a diet high in marine algae to maintain health and color.

Primary Diet (70%)

• Nori/Dried Seaweed - Offer daily on a clip
• Spirulina-based foods - Flakes or pellets
• Fresh macroalgae - Chaeto, Gracilaria, Ulva
• Algae sheets - Green, red, and brown varieties

Supplementary Foods (30%)

• Mysis shrimp - Enriched with vitamins
• Brine shrimp - Occasional treat
• Quality pellets - New Life Spectrum, TDO
• Frozen herbivore preparations

Feeding Schedule

• Feed 2-3 times daily
• Always have nori available
• Tangs graze constantly - small frequent feedings best

Nutritional Concerns

• HLLE Prevention: Vitamin-enriched foods, varied diet
• Soak food in vitamins: Selcon, VitaChem
• Avoid overfeeding proteins - Causes nutritional issues

🐟 Compatibility

Good Tankmates

• Clownfish
• Wrasses (most species)
• Anthias
• Gobies and blennies
• Dwarf angels
• Most peaceful community fish

Use Caution

• Other tangs - Can be aggressive; add simultaneously if keeping multiple
• Similar-shaped fish - May show aggression
• Other yellow fish - Sometimes territorial

Avoid

• Aggressive triggers
• Large predatory fish
• Multiple Yellow Tangs in small tanks

⚠️ Health Considerations

• Ich susceptible: Quarantine all new specimens 4-6 weeks
• HLLE (Head and Lateral Line Erosion): Prevented with proper diet
• Stress-related illness: Provide adequate space

💡 Tips for Success

• Quarantine is essential - tangs are ich magnets
• Provide constant algae source
• Add last to established tanks to reduce aggression
• UV sterilizer helps prevent disease
• Captive-bred specimens available and recommended

📚 Summary

The Yellow Tang is a hardy, beautiful fish that makes an excellent addition to larger reef aquariums. Success depends on providing adequate space, a herbivore-focused diet with plenty of algae, and proper quarantine. With good care, Yellow Tangs can live over 20 years and maintain their brilliant coloration throughout their lives.