Purple Tang - Zebrasoma xanthurum

Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)

The Purple Tang is a stunning and highly desirable marine surgeonfish, admired for its deep purple-blue body, bright yellow tail and fine darker line patterning across the face and body. Also known as the Yellowtail Tang or Red Sea Purple Tang, this species is one of the most iconic tangs in the marine aquarium hobby. It is hardy once settled and generally reef safe, but it is also active, territorial and best suited to a spacious mature aquarium with strong filtration, open swimming room and plenty of algae-based foods.

Common Name:
Purple Tang. Also commonly referred to as the Yellowtail Tang, Red Sea Purple Tang, Yellowtail Surgeonfish or Purple Surgeonfish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Zebrasoma xanthurum

Maximum Size:
Around 20–25 cm is typical for aquarium planning, although scientific records list larger wild specimens. It should be treated as a medium-to-large tang that needs generous swimming space.

Water Type:
Marine.

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found in the north-western Indian Ocean, especially the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Peninsula region and nearby reef systems. In the wild, Purple Tangs are usually found around coral-rich reefs, rocky reef areas and hard-bottom habitats, often grazing across reef surfaces for filamentous algae.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive. Purple Tangs are generally manageable with robust marine fish, but they can become territorial, especially towards other tangs, surgeonfish or similarly shaped algae grazers. It is usually best kept singly unless housed in a very large aquarium with careful stocking.

Diet:
Primarily herbivorous / algivorous. In the aquarium it should be offered a diet rich in marine algae, nori, spirulina-based foods, algae flakes, herbivore pellets and occasional frozen foods such as mysis or enriched brineshrimp. Regular grazing opportunities on mature live rock are beneficial, and frequent seaweed feeding helps maintain condition, colour and digestive health.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 500–600 litres for a single specimen, with larger aquariums strongly preferred. This is an active swimming fish and should not be planned for small marine aquariums.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active daytime grazer that spends much of the day swimming around rockwork, browsing algae and patrolling open areas of the aquarium. It benefits from strong oxygenation, good water movement, mature live rock, caves and open swimming lanes. Once settled, it can become bold and very visible, but may also defend its territory from new or similar fish.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is generally considered safe with corals and most common reef invertebrates. It is not normally a coral-nipping species and is often valued in reef aquariums for algae grazing. The main consideration is aggression towards other fish, especially tangs, rather than coral damage.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with excellent filtration, strong oxygenation, live rock, open swimming room and regular algae-based feeding. Purple Tangs can be assertive, so they are often best added after more timid fish but before larger aggressive fish. Avoid mixing with other Zebrasoma tangs in average-sized aquariums. Like other tangs, it can be prone to stress-related issues if water quality, diet or space are poor, so careful acclimation and quarantine are recommended.

Suitable for:
Intermediate marine fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade, often regarded as a premium marine tang

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.