Purple tang
Zebrasoma xanthurum
FishSaltwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Recommended tank
- 400 L
- Maximum size
- 22 cm
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Diet
- Herbivore
Care at a glance
The purple tang from the Red Sea and Arabian waters is deep violet-blue with a bright yellow tail and dark streaks on the fins. It is one of the most colourful tangs and at the same time one of the most dominant.
It grazes algae off rock all day and therefore needs plenty of grown-in stone plus supplementary vegetable food. Keep exactly one and do not combine it with other tangs of similar shape; those it sees as rivals and drives off without mercy.
Good to know
Best not combined with
Related species
Keep Purple tang in the BlubHub app
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.