Yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Zebrasoma flavescens
- Common name
- Yellow tang
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Genus
- Zebrasoma
- Size
- 15–20 cm
- Depth
- 2–46 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- schooling, herbivorous
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific
Description
Zebrasoma flavescens reaches 20 cm. Oval body entirely vivid lemon-yellow (ranked by scientists among the 10 most spectacularly colored fish). Very tall sail-like dorsal fin as other Zebrasoma. Sharp white lateral blade clearly visible on the yellow body. Endemic to Hawaii and central Pacific. Herbivore, grazes algae on reefs from 2 to 46 m. Aquarium icon, now bred in captivity.
Photo of Yellow tang
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellow tang?
- Yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) reaches 15–20 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellow tang?
- Yellow tang is found between 2–46 m deep.
- Is the Yellow tang dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellow tang?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellow tang?
- Found in: Asian Pacific.
Other species in the genus Zebrasoma
- Zebrasoma xanthurum - Yellowtail tang
- Zebrasoma desjardinii - Sailfin 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 219683)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2379869)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia