Purple Tang

Looks how to spot one

Scaled, disc-shaped surgeonfish

A tall, very flat fish with a pointed, protruding snout. Adults are a rich blue-violet from head to tail base, sprinkled with small dark dots on the head and front of the body and fine wavy lines further back, then finish in a sunny yellow tail. Young fish show brownish lengthwise stripes before taking on the adult colours.21

Personality what they are like

A confident, busy grazer that goes about its day alone or with a partner and tucks itself into a rocky hideaway as the sun goes down. Young fish are shy and keep close to coral cover.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active during daylight, moving over coral and rock to graze, then resting in a crevice overnight. Room to swim plus plenty of rock surfaces to pick at suits its routine.21

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Marine reef fish for a mature saltwater aquarium. Typical reef-tank conditions are 24-27 C, salinity 1.022-1.025 specific gravity and pH around 8.2, which sits within the 24-28 C water it lives in on the reef. Keep water quality stable and offer algae-based meals every day. The blade-like tail spines are sharp, so move it with a net or container rather than bare hands.31

Home where they are happiest

In the wild it lives over coral-rich or rocky reef from the shallows to about 20 m deep. A roomy reef aquarium with lots of live rock for grazing and sheltered nooks for sleeping fits its habits. No minimum tank volume from a primary source was found.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A plant eater that browses filamentous algae, helped by many small teeth in its throat. In the aquarium the menu should be built mainly around marine algae and seaweed.12

Company who they like around

Often seen in groups on the reef, though individuals usually feed alone or in pairs. Choose tank mates with care, giving each tang enough space.12

The story where it all began

British zoologist Edward Blyth named the species Acanthurus xanthurus in 1852, listing Sri Lanka as where it came from, a locality now thought to be a mistake since the fish lives far to the west. Its species name means yellow tail. It is a modest but well-known item in the marine aquarium trade.21

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 7 May 2010)1

Taxonomy

Family Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes); described by Edward Blyth in 1852 as Acanthurus xanthurus2