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Home > Marine Fish > Tangs & Surgeons > Sailfin Tang, Desjardini
Sailfin Tang, Desjardini (Zebrasoma desjardini)
Sailfin Tang, Desjardini
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Sailfin Tang, Desjardini (Zebrasoma desjardini)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available!

Quick Stats

Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Black, Blue, White, Yellow
Diet Herbivore
Reef Compatible Yes
Water Conditions sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size 1' 4"
Family Acanthuridae
Minimum Tank Size 180 gallons
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Black, Blue, White, Yellow
Diet Herbivore
Reef Compatible Yes
Water Conditions sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size 1' 4"
Family Acanthuridae
Minimum Tank Size 180 gallons
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information

Overview

The Desjardini Sailfin Tang, also known as the Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang, Desjardin's Sailfin Tang, or Red Sea Sailfin Tang, is dark to very light gray in color with light freckles on the nose and yellow freckles on the abdomen. The body has several, varying sized vertical yellow stripes with intricate markings between the stripes at the face. It has a blue tail with white freckles. Its appearance can practically double in size at will by raising or lowering its sizable dorsal and anal fins.

A 180 gallon or larger aquarium is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room. It is aggressive towards its own species and conspecifics at times, but peaceful towards other fish, so keep only one except in a very large tank. It eats filamentous algae.

Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutrition are all ideal products and are very easy to use.

Please Note: The Small Juvenile form of the Desjardini Tang may not have spots on the fins or body and are very similar in appearance to a Sailfin Tang. However with age, the spots will develop as well as the bold striping on their fins and body.

Approximate Purchase Size: Tiny: 3/4" to 1-1/2"; Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Small/Medium: 2" to 2-1/2"; Medium: 2-1/2" to 4"; Medium/Large: 4" to 5"; Large: 5" to 6"; XLarge: 6" to 7"

Customer Testimonials

Craig J Elkhart , IN
I have had my Sailfin Tang for about 1-1/2 months now. He is doing very well and I am very impressed with his temperament and coloring. Although he does make his presence known to all his other tank mates that he is king. He loves to swim around and graze on algae. He does seem to do well with other fish as long as they do not look like him. I purchased an Emperor Angel a few weeks after getting him. He did chase him and nip at him for about a day and then he seemed to calm down. I can see that putting other fish in after him could cause problems. 
Jose M Corona , NY
I've had my Sailfin for about 2 weeks. It started off very shy but after about a week it started coming out a bit more. After adding new fish I noticed it likes to bully them. Maybe it's because they are new or it's just being territorial. Definately a great addition to my tank.
Jesse F Bakersfield , CA
Great addition to any reef. It has an amazing personality, is very friendly, and loves the company of all my 20 other fish. However he is the only tang. I would suggest keeping him with smaller fish.
Kyle M Cleves , OH
After I got the Red Sea Sailfin Tang, I fell in love with his personality and his color. Now any other saltwater tank I set up, I will have them. They are now my favorite fish :)
Michael R East Lyme , CT
I bought this fish off Live Aquaria about 3 months ago. He is a very shy fish and submits to my Harelequin tusk rather than fight him. But they get along great for the most part. He arrived and still is happy and healthy! I am extremely happy I purchased this fish!
1-5 of 5 testimonials

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