Yellow Tang

They’re back!  For many aquarists, the Yellow Tang is the classic reef tank fish.  However, due to a ban on importing fish from Hawaii they briefly disappeared from the aquarium trade.  Luckily, a number of North American breeders have begun to breed captive bred Yellow Tangs.  This fish is instantly recognizable, with an oval shaped body and vibrant yellow colouration.  It is a medium sized fish and can grow up to 8 inches.  It is a very active fish and will spend its days swimming throughout the aquarium.

While most often associated with Hawaii, Yellow Tangs are found widely throughout the Pacific.  In addition to the waters off Hawaii they are also native to Indonesia and the Great Barrier Reef.  They can be found on coral reefs and other shallow waters down to a depth of 30 meters.  In the wild they are most often found in small schools but should generally be housed singly in a home aquarium unless the tank is particularly large.  Since they are primarily herbivores, they require ample rockwork for grazing.

There are a number of reasons why hobbyists are excited to see the return of the Yellow Tang to the hobby.  Their bright yellow colours and active swimming make them a stunning and interesting addition to any reef tank.  In addition to their beauty, they are also voracious consumers of various types of algae and can help to keep a tank clean.

Yellow Tangs are primarily herbivores and will spend the day grazing the live rock.  They can also be fed nori if there is not sufficient algae in the tank.  In fact, it is generally recommended that they are fed seaweed of some sort at least once a week to help maintain good health.  One of the main advantages of captive bred Yellow Tangs is that they are raised on prepared foods and are used to human interaction, which makes feeding much easier.

This beautiful, useful and reef safe fish makes a perfect addition to a home aquarium.