Reef Sanctuary - View Single Post - Fish Focus

Cougra · 09-13-2006, 09:26 PM

This weeks fish focus is on the Purple Sailfin Tang - Zebrasoma xanthurum. These are probably one of the most popular tangs on sale. They are members of the family Acanthuridae. Their vibrant colouration makes them highly desirable, however they are also extremely prone to ick outbreaks so it's best to quarentine them.

Origin/Habitat
Pacific Plate, generally around tropical coral reefs

Size
8"

Recommended Minimum Tank Size
48" x 18" x 18" with lots of open swimming room and some rock cover for hiding.

Diet
Herbivore/Omnivore: Feeds mainly on macro algae in the wild, therefore they require a lot of vegetable mater in their diet. Vegetable matter can include seaweed (nori), blanched romaine lettuce, spinach, broccoli or zucchini. Even through they will adapt to feeding on meaty foods such as brine shrimp, if fed a constant diet of them without any vegetable matter they will quickly loose condition and will slowly starve to death. Vitamin supplements should be added to the food whenever possible to keep their immune system strong.

Notes
Young specimens adapt well to captivity. They are prone to ick outbreaks, especially when being moved to new tanks or new additions are added to the tank. They require highly oxygenated water and will show signs of stress should the water become depleted of oxygen. When in sleep mode, their sides will take on a dark brownish colouration with a white stripe through it.

Have you had any experience with the Purple Sailfin Tang?
Do you have any photo's of your Purple Sailfin Tang that you would like to share?
Would you like to have one or do you find them boring?

Please share your experiences with them!

09-13-2006, 09:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	Fish Focus - Purple Sailfin Tang This weeks fish focus is on the Purple Sailfin Tang - Zebrasoma xanthurum. These are probably one of the most popular tangs on sale. They are members of the family Acanthuridae. Their vibrant colouration makes them highly desirable, however they are also extremely prone to ick outbreaks so it's best to quarentine them. Origin/Habitat Pacific Plate, generally around tropical coral reefs Size 8" Recommended Minimum Tank Size 48" x 18" x 18" with lots of open swimming room and some rock cover for hiding. Diet Herbivore/Omnivore: Feeds mainly on macro algae in the wild, therefore they require a lot of vegetable mater in their diet. Vegetable matter can include seaweed (nori), blanched romaine lettuce, spinach, broccoli or zucchini. Even through they will adapt to feeding on meaty foods such as brine shrimp, if fed a constant diet of them without any vegetable matter they will quickly loose condition and will slowly starve to death. Vitamin supplements should be added to the food whenever possible to keep their immune system strong. Notes Young specimens adapt well to captivity. They are prone to ick outbreaks, especially when being moved to new tanks or new additions are added to the tank. They require highly oxygenated water and will show signs of stress should the water become depleted of oxygen. When in sleep mode, their sides will take on a dark brownish colouration with a white stripe through it. Have you had any experience with the Purple Sailfin Tang? Do you have any photo's of your Purple Sailfin Tang that you would like to share? Would you like to have one or do you find them boring? Please share your experiences with them! __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!