Species · GBIF taxon 2379882
Purple Tang
Zebrasoma xanthurumAlso known as Yellowtail Tang, Yellowtail Surgeonfish
Purple tangs navigate coral reefs with a striking, disc-shaped body of deep violet-blue contrasted by a bright yellow tail and yellow-tipped pectoral fins. They use their sharp, spine-like scalpel on the tail base for defense and dominance disputes within the reef. These active swimmers spend their days constantly grazing on filamentous algae, playing a vital role in keeping coral heads clean and healthy.
MarineReef-dwellingHerbivorous
Licensed reference(c) François Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Filamentous algae
- Sea lettuce
- Microalgae
Predators
- Groupers
- Moray eels
- Reef sharks
ThreatsHabitat degradation, coral bleaching, and overcollection for the aquarium trade
HabitatsCoral reefs, rocky reefs, and shallow lagoons
Life span15 to 30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAcanthuridae
- SpeciesZebrasoma xanthurum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Equipped with a razor-sharp spine on the tail base; avoid handling or cornering.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses a razor-sharp, spine-like modified scale on each side of the tail base that can inflict deep lacerations if the fish thrashes.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for the bright yellow tail contrasting sharply with the deep purple body and yellow-tipped pectoral fins.
- What to do
- Never attempt to touch or catch this fish with bare hands; use a fine-mesh container if relocation is necessary.
Responsible observation
- Observe grazing behavior: Watch them use their specialized snout to scrape algae off sunlit reef surfaces.
- Keep a respectful distance: Avoid crowding them into crevices, which can trigger defensive posturing with their tail spines.
- Look for territorial displays: Observe how they flare their dorsal and anal fins to appear larger to rivals.
Close Relative (c) User:Amada44, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) H. Krisp, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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