Stats

Lifespan: 20-30 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: School
Biome: Coral reef
Range: Pacific Ocean
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Spines
Status: Uncommon

About

Yellow tangs are bright yellow, reef-dwelling fish that eat algae. They have a white barb located just before their tail fin, which protects them from predators.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling fry
A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

Learn more

View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Zebrasoma
Species: Zebrasoma flavescens