Desjardini tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Red Sea sailfin tang, Indian sailfin tang
Family
Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes, tangs and unicornfishes)
Origin
Western and central Indian Ocean, East Africa and the Red Sea to Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Java and Christmas Island; lagoon and seaward reefs at 1–30 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
1000 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a large, long tank with plenty of open swimming space and rockwork for grazing. an estimated minimum of about 1000 litres (our estimate from the adult size and habits). Water: our sources give no species-specific figures, so the values shown (24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, SG 1.023–1.026) are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific. Like other surgeonfish it needs well-oxygenated water with strong flow and stable quality. Behaviour: adults usually live in pairs and juveniles alone; adults may gather in groups to graze. The tall dorsal and anal fins are raised when it is alarmed or displaying. Tangs are prone to marine white spot (Cryptocaryon irritans) and velvet, so quarantine new arrivals. Handling: like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp, scalpel-like blade on each side of the tail base that it raises when threatened and that can cut hands deeply. Move it in a container rather than by hand. Trade and status: available in the aquarium trade. IUCN: Least Concern (2012). Not CITES-listed. A 1999 sighting off Florida was probably an aquarium release, so never release aquarium fish. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebrasomadesjardinii). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes filamentous algae and macroalgae and also takes plankton; Red Sea fish regularly eat moon jellies and comb jellies. In the aquarium give a mainly plant-based diet: nori and other marine algae, spirulina-based foods and some mysis or other meaty foods.

Breeding

A pair spawner in the wild (most surgeonfish spawn in groups). Not bred in home aquaria as far as our sources say.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe; will not harm corals or invertebrates. Can be quarrelsome with other tangs, particularly other Zebrasoma and similar-shaped fish; add it last to a mixed tang tank and give plenty of room.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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