Data Sheet: Zebrasoma Flavescens “Yellow Tang”

DATA SHEET

Scientific name: Zebrasoma Flavescens

Common name: Yellow Tang

Taxonomic classification

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Subclass: Neopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Acanthuroidei

Family: Acanthuridae

Genus: Zebrasoma

Species: Flavescens

Description: Zebrasoma Flavescens has a flattened oval shape, a small, elongated mouth with chisel-shaped teeth that uses to swell algae from the rocky surface, the dorsal fin and the anal extend over a large part of the body. On the caudal peduncle can be found the characteristic mobile shield that protects the very sharp erectile spine used by all Acanturides as a defense weapon.

Coloring: Zebrasoma Flavescens has a body completely colored with very bright yellow and with a horizontal white strip visible only at night.

Behaviour: Very peaceful, coexists without problems with smaller fishes. Be careful in small tanks because it could stress and create confusion by swimming in jerks or quick swims and frightening the other guests.

Sexual Dimorphism: Not determined.

Habitat: They live at about 45/50 meters deep and are in a group, it is easier to find them in areas with a strong presence of algae.

Water chemistry

Temperature: 24-28°C pH: 7.5 – 8.5 Water hardness: 5 – 15°dH Salinity: 1.018- 1.027

Tips for breeding: It is advisable to insert them in tanks that are higher than or equal to 300 liters of net capacity. In aquariums with the presence of Lysmata Amboimensis the typical cleaning symbiosis can be observed. Z. Flavescens is very resistant to parasitosis such as Cryptocaryon Irritans and Oodinium Ocellatum and in many cases manages to eradicate the disease alone.

Feed: Zebrasoma Flavescens is an omnivorous fish but it is mainly herbivorous by nature. He prefers to eat algae such as Alga Nori, Spirulina, etc. Also accept without any problem dry foods of animal origin that are clearly to be dosed with caution. In the aquarium you can see it swarming live rocks in search of algae. Some specimens, if accustomed, feed on lettuce or spinach leaves.

Diffusion: Pacific and Indian Ocean and from Japan to the Hawaiian Islands.

Swimming level: Average – High

Difficulty: medium, once set does not present particular difficulties, but requires an adequate specific feeding for herbivorous fish.
Reproduction: In the aquarium the reproduction is still in the bush but at the oceanographic institute in the U.S.A. there was the first certified reproduction in captivity as can be read on the pages of Reef Builders.

Extinction risk: Not at risk of extinction.