Yellow Tang

Care

This brightly coloured, active species has always been one of the most popular tangs for the marine aquarium. It should be provided with a spacious aquarium, as ample swimming space is required - specimens kept in smaller quarters can become quite aggressive. In very large aquaria, it is possible to maintain a group of Yellow Tangs (7+ is best), but they must be introduced simultaneously and any bullied individuals will need to be removed. Other tangs from different genera (such as the Regal tang or Yellow eye tang) will usually be accepted after initial squabbles to determine hierarchy and mixed-species groups of tangs are generally much easier to put together. The tank should be mature with plenty of algal growth for these herbivores to browse.  As long as this fish is kept well fed, it should not pose any problems in a reef set up. Occasional specimens have been known to nip at stony corals, and even some soft corals, but this is not the norm. A decent current/highly oxygenated conditions will serve this fish well and helps these active fishes burn off energy. Provide plenty of hiding/sleeping places amongst the rockwork, with an open swimming space along the front of the aquarium. At night time, the yellow colour fades slightly, and a horizontal white blotch appears along the flanks. May also be seen on sale as the Yellow Sailfin Tang.

Legislation banning Hawaiian exports has unfortunately had a massive impact on the availability and price of this fish, as this established sustainable fishery has been the primary source of specimens for some years. Now that the market price will increase, we can expect to see increasing interest in captive bred fishes. Their long larval development period has meant that unlike species such as Clownfish, tank-bred tangs are always going to be expensive to rear but these long-lived fish can be expected to thrive and their captive care requirements are well known.

Feeding

It is important that these fish receive an appropriate diet consisting of a quality staple dried food in order to prevent Head & Lateral Line Erosion (HHLE) and fading of colour. Feed a varied diet in small amounts several times a day, or use foods that allow a period of grazing. Although this species will browse on algae within the aquarium, its diet should be supplemented with herbivore rations, green marine flake, Spirulina (blue-green algae) based foods, Nori (dried seaweed) etc. It will also take small meaty frozen foods such as Mysis, but be sure that it is receiving enough green food to. Adding a specially formulated vitamin supplement to any frozen foods will be beneficial.

Breeding

This species has been bred in the aquarium but the facilities required are outside the realms of most home aquarists. Adults have been observed spawning in pairs and groups in the ocean - public aquaria are best positioned to emulate this and commercial facilities are generally needed for what's really a laboratory undertaking.