ExploreFish

Sailfin Tang

Zebrasoma desjardini

The Sailfin Tang has a beautiful sail-like fin that it can raise and lower. It loves to swim in the warm waters of the ocean.

Habitat: Coral reefs

Appearance

The Sailfin Tang has a tall, disk-like body with magnificent sail-like dorsal and anal fins. Its body is adorned with alternating light and dark vertical stripes, often brownish, with yellow spots near its head and blue lines on its fins.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderPerciformesFamilyAcanthuridaeGenusZebrasoma

Sailfin Tang

Interesting facts

Baby Sailfin Tangs are tiny and see-through, hiding until they grow larger.

Their huge fins make them look much bigger to scare away other fish!

These fish can sometimes rub against sharks, cleaning off parasites!

They use their strong fins to dart in and out of tight coral spaces.

Special abilities

Sailfin Tangs can munch on algae because they have a special mouth that helps them keep coral reefs sparkling clean.

Sailfin Tangs have a super sharp spine near their tail that helps them defend against predators.

Sailfin Tangs can change their stripe patterns because this helps them communicate or hide from danger.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-40 cm
Weight: 0.1-0.8 kg
Lifespan: 5-12 years
Swim Speed: 5 km/h
Max Depth: 60 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

A super grazer, this fish helps keep coral reefs healthy by eating lots of tiny algae.

Primary Foods

filamentous algae
benthic algae
diatoms
detritus

Foraging Method

Grazing

Ecological connections

eaten by

Grey Reef Shark

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

A large reef predator that hunts many reef fish.

eaten by

Leopard Coralgrouper

Plectropomus leopardus

A common reef fish predator.

symbiotic with

Pacific Cleaner Shrimp

Lysmata amboinensis

These shrimp remove parasites from the fish's body.

shelters

Finger Coral

Acropora digitifera

Hides among branches of this common reef coral.

Traits

Social

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Colorful

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Filter Feeder

Discover amazing animals that filter their food right from the water! They have special ways to strain tiny bits of plants or other creatures to eat.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Aquatic

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Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.