Sailfin Tang
Scientific Name : Zebrasoma Desjardini
Origin : Indian Ocean
Temperament : Semi-Aggresive
Temperature : 72F - 82F
Maximum Size : 17 Inches
Diet : Herbivore
Difficulty : Medium
Reef Safe : Yes
Tank Size : 150 Gallons
There are two types of Sailfin Tang within the surgeonfish family. And they are both some of the largest species within the genus Zebrasoma. They are Zebrasoma Desjardini (Red Sea Sailfin Tang) and Zebrasoma Veliferum (Pacific Sailfin Tang). This guide deals with Zebrasoma Desjardini, which is arguably more popular than Zebrasoma veliferum and widely considered to be more beautiful as well.
Their name is a reflection on their ability to erect their dorsal and anal fins to great lengths. Fully flared, these fins can double the size of the overall fish. It is this feature that is much sought after by some marine aquarium hobbyists. As juveniles, both species look almost alike. As adults, differences start to appear. Adult, Desjardini has spots on their fins unlike Veliferum.
The sailfin tang goes by a number of common names including the Red Sea Sailfin Tang, Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang and Desjardin's Sailfin Tang. They usually command a higher price on the markets than their Pacific counterpart. Juveniles can be had for as little as $50 while fully mature adults can go for as much as a whopping $200 per specimen.
They are semi aggressive surgeonfish that are relatively peaceful with a wide variety of fish. They are usually only aggressive towards other surgeonfish and especially towards members of the same species.
In the wild, the Sailfin Tang is a herbivore that glides along the reef grazing on algae as a pair or alone. This diet should be reflected in the types of food that is given. They do not consume corals and are reef safe.
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.
The sailfin tang is probably the largest species within the genus zebrasoma with a maximum attainable length of about one and a half feet. They are giants that are as large or larger than even the Sohal tang.
Nothing less than 150 gallons should be used but with a fish this big, they really need something like a 250 to 300 gallon aquarium. They are an open swimming species and they need enough room to swim about.Sailfin tang adults are very beautiful and are great additions to larger reef or fish only aquariums.
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