The Yellow Tang is a lemon-yellow surgeonfish and one of the more recognisable marine fish.
Captive-bred stock now exists and is the more responsible choice.
Although hardy once settled, it is not a beginner fish: it needs a large tank, grows substantially, and is prone to disease when stressed.
It is an active, all-day swimmer that grazes algae constantly and can live for many years.
The name "surgeonfish" comes from a sharp scalpel-like spine at the tail base, which it can use defensively, so handle it with care during maintenance.
Housing
Provide a long tank of at least 280L (75 gal) and ideally larger; tank length matters more than volume for this fast swimmer.
Keep salinity 1.024-1.026, temperature 24-27°C (75-80°F), pH 8.1-8.4, and nitrate low, with strong flow and good oxygenation.
Give plenty of rockwork for grazing and refuge.
Add it last to an established tank, since territorial tangs claim space, and quarantine all new fish to keep marine ich out of the system.
Diet
The Yellow Tang is primarily a herbivore.
Its diet must be algae-based: offer dried marine algae (nori) clipped in the tank daily, plus algae pellets and herbivore frozen foods.
Grazing on natural algae growth supplements this.
A diet too high in meaty foods causes poor health and dull colour, so keep it green.
Frequent small feedings suit its constant grazing.
Vitamin-enriched algae sheets help maintain colour and support the immune system.
Health
Yellow Tangs are notably susceptible to marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and to head-and-lateral-line erosion (HLLE), which is linked to stress, poor water quality, and inadequate diet.
Strict quarantine of all new arrivals is essential to keep ich out.
Maintain clean water, strong oxygenation, and an algae-rich diet to help prevent HLLE.
Watch for white spots, scratching, faded colour, or pitting along the head and lateral line.
Good husbandry lets this fish live for many years.
Temperament
Active and generally peaceful toward unrelated fish, the Yellow Tang is territorial toward other tangs and similar-shaped fish.
It is reef-safe and helps control nuisance algae among corals.
Keep only one tang per tank unless the system is very large with several added together.
Its tail spine can injure tankmates and careless hands, so respect it during maintenance.
Given space, it is a bold, ever-moving centrepiece.
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate