Yellow Tang
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
CommonAcanthuridaeVenomous spines
ID points
- Pure lemon yellow all over, with no other colour
- Tall dorsal and anal fins give an almost triangular profile
- A white spine on the tail base, very conspicuous
Basics
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Length
- 15–20 cm
- Depth
- 2-45 m
- Regions
- Indo-Pacific reefs
- Distribution
- Central Pacific coral reefs
- Habitat
- Shallow coral reefs
- Diet
- Algae
Easily confused with
Blue TangRoyal blue all over, with a black palette-shaped marking on the side
Indian Ocean Nose TangBright yellow dorsal fin, two orange plates on the tail base
Powder Blue TangPowder blue body, black head like a maskFun fact
The yellow tang is pure yellow all over, but a white bar appears along its flank while it rests at night. The white bony spine on the tail base flicks up in self-defence when the fish feels threatened.