Sailfin Tang
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
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Reef Cleaner
Sailfin Tangs can munch on algae because they have a special mouth that helps them keep coral reefs sparkling clean.
Ability
Defensive Scalpel
Sailfin Tangs have a super sharp spine near their tail that helps them defend against predators.
Ability
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.
shelters
Finger Coral
Acropora digitifera
Hides among branches of this common reef coral.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Desjardin TangDesjardin's Tang
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
How deep can Sailfin Tang go?
60 m
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