Sailfin tang (Zebrasoma veliferum) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Pacific sailfin tang, Purple sailfinned tang, Sailfin surgeonfish
Family
Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes, tangs and unicornfishes)
Origin
Pacific, from near Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to Pitcairn, Hawaii, Japan and Australia; lagoon and seaward reefs to about 45 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 open swimming space. 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: usually solitary, sometimes in pairs; active by day. Juveniles live alone on sheltered reefs. The article notes that it tolerates copper-based parasite treatments, which helps in a fish-only quarantine tank (never use copper in a reef tank). 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: popular and traded commercially. Assessed by the IUCN (2012). Not CITES-listed. The article gives 40 cm standard length. 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/Zebrasomaveliferum). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes leafy algae. Give plenty of marine algae, nori and spirulina-based foods several times a day, with some meaty foods.

Breeding

Courts and spawns in the early afternoon after an ebbing tide in the wild; not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe. May quarrel with other tangs of similar shape, especially other Zebrasoma.

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

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