The Pacific Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma velifer) is a very eye-catching fish, with enormous dorsal and anal fins, that give them a fan-like appearance. They’re predominately brown, yellow, and white in coloration with thick vertical stripes going throughout their body. This species is more common and has a slightly different look than the Desjardini Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardini). However, both of these fish become massive when they’re fully grown. They can grow to about 1′ 4″ at their max size. This article will discuss the aquarium requirements, dietary needs, and compatible tank mates for the Pacific Sailfin Tang.
Aquarium Requirements
As stated earlier, Sailfin Tangs get massive. When fully grown I recommend keeping them in an aquarium of at least 180 gallons. They will benefit from having live rock to hide in at night or during times of stress but they will also need a lot of free and open swimming space. Their large fan-like fins can easily get damaged when flared out if not enough open space is provided.
Tangs aren’t normally known to be jumpers, but any fish can jump out of the aquarium when spooked.
Are Pacific Sailfin Tangs Reef Safe?
Tangs are generally reef-safe. They will not bother snails, shrimp, hermit crabs, or other invertebrates. Although it’s not incredibly common, your tang can go rogue and begin eating corals. Keeping your Pacific Sailfin Tang well-fed usually alleviates the desire to nip on coral, but the danger is always there. It’s important to provide a well-rounded diet for your fish. Although it’s not proven it may go after corals if it’s underfed or malnourished. Once it starts eating coral, it can be challenging to stop the behavior.
Tangs are sensitive
Many people speculate that tangs have very small scales, a thin slim coat, or scales shaped in a way that makes them prone to diseases such as flukes, hole in the head, and HLLE. Keep a watchful eye for symptoms.
Water Parameters
Most saltwater fish have fairly similar water parameter needs. This is no different for the Pacific Sailfin Tang. They do best with water temperatures ranging from 72 – 78°F (22.2 – 25.6°C). The pH level in your saltwater aquarium should be between 8.1 and 8.4. The salinity level in the aquarium can range between 1.020 and 1.025 sg. If you keep them in a fish-only aquarium, the salinity could be on the lower end of that range. If this fish is in a reef tank, you’ll likely keep your salinity between 1.024 and 1.025 sg.
Food & Diet
Pacific Sailfin Tangs are herbivorous. They spend their time grazing on a variety of algae in the wild. Unfortunately there likely isn’t enough algae growing in your aquarium to sustain a tang’s appetite. You’ll have to feed your tang a combination of foods. Your Sailfin Tang will benefit from being fed Nori/Algae Sheets. Some people will feed this to their tangs every day, every other day, or 2-3 times a week. The interval will be determined by your aquarium’s needs.
On the days you are not feeding algae sheets, I recommend feeding your tang either pellets, flake food, or frozen foods such as Brine Shrimp or Mysis Shrimp. These foods will provide proteins and other nutrients for your fish.
Tank Mates
Pacific Sailfin Tangs should do well in an aquarium with most other saltwater fish. I’ve seen Sailfin Tangs mixed with Puffers, Groupers, and Triggerfish in fish-only aquariums. I’ve also seen them with smaller fish such as Clownfish, Blennies, and Cardinalfish.
Problems may arise if you try to keep Sailfin Tangs with other similarly shaped fish. In this case, other tangs. I do not recommend mixing more than one Sailfin Tang in a fish tank. I would also be incredibly cautious about adding Purple and Yellow Tangs with this species. A similar body shape may trigger aggression from either species of fish. You might get better luck with a Tomini Tang or Blue Hippo Tang because their body shapes are different but always use caution and guarantee your aquarium is large enough for whatever species you decide to add.
Breeding
I don’t recommend keeping multiple Sailfin Tangs in an aquarium, which makes breeding incredibly challenging to impossible.
Final Notes
Pacific Sailfin Tangs are incredible fish and can easily be a centerpiece for your fish tank. Their large fins make them pop, and their personalities make them an even more exciting addition. They’re not as commonly kept because of their massive size, but if you have a fish tank that can house them, I highly recommend giving them a try.
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