Fishician®Diet
Herbivore – nori sheets, seaweed clips, algae-based pellets, occasional mysis
Aquarium species profile
Purple Tang
Zebrasoma xanthurum · Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Minimum tank100 gal
Adult size8–10"
Care levelModerate
TemperamentSemi-Aggressive
Temperature72–82°F
pH range8.1–8.4
Compatible tank mates
Most reef fish; avoid same genus/similar tangs in smaller systems
Tank mates to avoid
Yellow Tang and other Zebrasoma tangs unless tank is very large (200+ gal)
Care notes
Striking purple body with yellow tail and pectoral fins. Highly sought-after. Can be aggressive toward other tangs. Needs heavy algae supplementation. Hardy once established.
Check the whole aquarium. Tank size alone does not establish compatibility. Confirm adult size, water overlap, social grouping, territory, diet, and the individual animals before stocking.