Purple Tang
Scientific Name : Zebrasoma Xanthurum
Origin : Red Sea, Indian Ocean
Temperament : Aggressive
Temperature : 72F - 82F
Maximum Size : 9 Inches
Diet : Herbivore
Difficulty : Medium
Reef Safe : Yes
Tank Size : 100 Gallons
The Purple Tang is another highly sought after surgeonfish from the Red Sea. It belongs to the very popular genus Zebrasoma which include the Yellow tang, Black Tang, Sailfin Tang and the very expensive Gem Tang.
This genus all looks roughly the same with a wide and highly compressed body and a long snout. Where they differ is in in temperament, color, availability and price. Purple Tangs are entirely purple save for their tail which is yellow. Juveniles have dark purple streaks across their body that will disappear as they mature. Their purple coloration will also darken as they age.
The purple tang is an expensive fish with small specimens going for about $100 and larger show quality specimens going for $200 or more. Like their other Red Sea counterpart, the Sohal Tang, this is an aggressive fish. The normally do not tolerate fish that look like themselves and will absolutely try to destroy another purple tang in the same aquarium.
They are a grazing species that feed throughout the day on algae. Also like the Sohal Tang, they are often found in the wild alone or as a pair.
Offer them a good range of foods with heavy bias on vegetable matter such as seaweed. Mysis shrimp, Krill along with special foods designed for herbivores should be offered daily. A great pellet to offer your Blue tang would be those made by New Life Spectrum. Some good foods (* See Below) to offer are :-
When feeding them seaweed or nori sheets, simply fold the sheet, secure it with a * Seaweed Clip and stick it on the side of the aquarium. The surgeonfish should graze on it throughout the day.
Like all surgeonfish,they are susceptible to marine ich and lateral line erosion. Avoid any specimens that have white spots on them. They should be vigorous and eating well at the store. Always quarantine all new surgeonfish purchases before releasing into the display aquarium.
Purple Tangs can reach 8 to 9 inches in captivity, which makes them similarly sized to the yellow tang. The smallest aquarium needed for them is a 100 gallons. As always, the bigger the better. A 200 gallon or larger aquarium is ideal.
Purple Tangs are not only beautiful but they are always in demand. If you are in the market for a specimen, do not hesitate to grab one when you see one. Always ensure the specimen selected is healthy and feeding. But if they just came in and are not feeding yet, you should still go ahead as they are not known as finicky feeders in captivity.
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