|
|
Sailfin Tang – Zebrasoma veliferum
The sailfin tang comes from the Central and South Pacific Ocean region. The sailfin does well in an aquarium that has plenty of active and healthy live rock with micro-algae and macro-algae to eat. This tang grows large and needs a larger tank.
Maximum Size: The sailfin tang should grow to a maximum size of 15.7 inches
Minimum Tank Size: The minimum tank size should be 135 gallons – yes this big remember this fish grows large
Care Level: The sailfin tang is a pretty hardy fish to maintain. On a scale of 1 –10, (10 being easy) it would rate a “6”. The tank should already be cycled before introducing this fish. The sailfin needs a diet rich in vegetable matter otherwise it may develop head and lateral line erosion.
Tank Conditions: Temperature 77-79°F; Specific gravity: 1.021 – 1.024; pH: 8.1 – 8.3; Nitrates should be no more than 20 ppm.
Color: The sailfin tang – as picture shows is brown with vertical stripes. The front of the fish has rotating dark brown and yellow stripes. The name comes from the shape of the dorsal fin that is large and “sail shaped.
Temperament: This is a good fish. It can ultimately become aggressive to other tang of its kind. You can maintain more than one but you will need to increase the tank size so each has room
Reef Compatible: Will eat micro-algae and macro-algae and browse on live rock. If you find it nipping at coral  (both hard and soft) increase feeding amount. It is generally a safe reef fish.
Diet: The sailfin tang is an basically an omnivore but will eat more vegetable matter. Feed dried and frozen marine algae along with sushi seaweed. You can even supplement its commercial diet with land vegetables such as zucchini and lettuce.
Habitat: Provide with plenty of hiding places. Good water circulation is important as well as high quality water maintenance. Filtration should include a protein skimmer and activated carbon filtration.
Lighting: A high quality full spectrum lighting system should be used to help micro-algae and macro-algae grow.
Compatibility: Tang in general can be kept with, catfish, filefish, firefish, gobies, grammas, rabbitfish to name a few and they should not be housed with groupers, sharks, lionfish or rays and can be a problem if housed with damselfish, butterflyfish, cardinalfish and triggerfish.
|
|
|
|
