# 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. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coral reefs - **Also known as:** Desjardin Tang, Desjardin's Tang ![Sailfin Tang](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425779/objects/4766.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Perciformes - **Family:** Acanthuridae - **Genus:** Zebrasoma ## 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 - **Reef Cleaner:** Sailfin Tangs can munch on algae because they have a special mouth that helps them keep coral reefs sparkling clean. - **Defensive Scalpel:** Sailfin Tangs have a super sharp spine near their tail that helps them defend against predators. - **Color Cues:** 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 - **Maximum 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. - **Shelter:** Finger Coral (*Acropora digitifera*) — Hides among branches of this common reef coral. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sailfin Tang? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Sailfin Tang? 10-40 cm ### How much does Sailfin Tang weigh? 0.1-0.8 kg ### How long does Sailfin Tang live? 5-12 years ### What does Sailfin Tang eat? A super grazer, this fish helps keep coral reefs healthy by eating lots of tiny algae. ### How fast can Sailfin Tang swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Sailfin Tang usually found? Coral reefs ### How does Sailfin Tang hunt? Grazing ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Sailfin Tang: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sailfin-tang)