Sailfin tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Zebrasoma desjardinii
- Common name
- Sailfin tang
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Zebrasoma
- Size
- 25–40 cm
- Depth
- 2–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, pair-bonding, herbivorous
- Ocean zones
- Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Zebrasoma desjardinii reaches 40 cm. Deep oval body with a huge characteristically sail-like expanded dorsal fin, especially in adults. Complex patterns: dark and light vertical stripes, white dots on a grey-brown body, yellow caudal with dark edge, elongated snout. Sharp lateral blade. Herbivore, often in pairs on shallow Indo-Pacific reefs. Present from the Red Sea to the western Pacific.
Photo of Sailfin tang
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Sailfin tang?
- Sailfin tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii) reaches 25–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Sailfin tang?
- Sailfin tang is found between 2–30 m deep.
- Is the Sailfin tang dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Sailfin tang?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Sailfin tang?
- Found in: Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Zebrasoma
- Zebrasoma xanthurum - Yellowtail tang
- Zebrasoma flavescens - Yellow tang
- Zebrasoma scopas - Yellow Tang
- Zebrasoma rostratum - Longnose Tang
- Zebrasoma velifer - Sailfin Tang
Other species in the family Acanthuridae
- Acanthurus chirurgus - Doctorfish
- Acanthurus tractus - Atlantic blue tang
- Prionurus punctatus - Yellowtail surgeonfish
- Naso lituratus - Orangespine unicornfish
- Naso vlamingii - Vlaming's unicornfish
- Acanthurus pyroferus - Mimic Surgeonfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 277555)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2379874)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia