{"product_id":"purple-tang-zebrasoma-xanthurum-saltwater","title":"Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Purple Tang (\u003cem\u003eZebrasoma xanthurum\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most eye-catching reef fish in the hobby, dressed in a deep electric blue-purple body set off by a brilliant yellow tail and yellow flashes on the pectoral fins. Hailing from the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean, it is an active, hardy grazer that spends its day picking film and hair algae off rock. This is an intermediate-level, semi-aggressive fish that does best as the only tang in most home reefs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairing it with the right cleanup crew and tank mates makes a huge difference. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e to round out a reef-safe community around your new tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTangs are strong, constant swimmers that need open water and pristine conditions to thrive and hold their color. Give your Purple Tang plenty of swimming room, plenty of grazing surface, and a steady supply of marine vegetable matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100 gallons or larger. This is an active fish that cruises the whole tank, so length and swimming room matter more than height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Primarily herbivore. Offer dried marine seaweed (nori) clipped in the tank several times a week, plus a quality herbivore pellet or flake. Round out the diet with occasional meaty foods like mysis for protein.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep parameters stable with strong flow and high oxygen. Tangs are sensitive to swings in nitrate and alkalinity, so consistent water changes pay off in brighter color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAggression:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive, especially toward other tangs and fish of similar shape. Add it last, and keep only one \u003cem\u003eZebrasoma\u003c\/em\u003e per tank unless the system is very large.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle with care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Like all surgeonfish, it has a sharp scalpel-like spine near the base of the tail. Take care when netting, and let us bag it for you at pickup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:6px 0 4px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePurple Tang, Yellowtail Sailfin Tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eZebrasoma xanthurum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAcanthuridae (surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to 10 in (25 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e100 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHerbivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78 F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific gravity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8 to 12 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRed Sea, Western Indian Ocean\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Purple Tang is reef safe and will not bother corals or clams, which makes it a favorite display fish for established reef tanks. It mixes well with most peaceful and semi-aggressive reef community fish, including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Green Chromis\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-darwin-ocellaris-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eOcellaris Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/coral-beauty-angelfish-centropyge-bispinosa-saltwater\"\u003eCoral Beauty Angelfish\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/purple-firefish-goby-nemateleotris-decora-saltwater\"\u003efirefish and gobies\u003c\/a\u003e. An \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/emerald-crab-mithraculus-sculptus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eEmerald Crab\u003c\/a\u003e makes a great algae-eating partner in the cleanup crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main thing to watch is tang-on-tang aggression. Avoid housing it with other tangs or surgeonfish unless your system is large, and always add it as one of the last fish so it does not claim the whole tank as territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-leafy-purple-seaweed-30g-tang-food\"\u003eRod's Food Leafy Purple Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e - certified raw seaweed, ideal staple for tangs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-three-weed-blend-30g-seaweed-tangs\"\u003eRod's Food Three Weed Blend\u003c\/a\u003e - mixed seaweed for marine herbivores\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-herbivore-tabs-85g-probiotic-sinking-fish-food\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet Herbivore Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e - probiotic herbivore food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\"\u003eFreeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e - occasional meaty treat for protein\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003emarine fish food\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Purple Tang reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It grazes on algae and leaves corals, clams, and invertebrates alone, so it is a great choice for a reef display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size tank does it need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlan on 100 gallons or more. Tangs swim constantly and need open horizontal space to stay healthy and active.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep more than one tang together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGenerally no, not in a typical home tank. Purple Tangs are territorial toward other tangs. Only attempt multiple tangs in a very large system, adding them at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat should I feed it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA mostly vegetable diet. Clip dried seaweed in the tank several times a week and supplement with a quality herbivore pellet or flake, plus occasional meaty foods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":48875067506907,"sku":"2239169","price":169.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":48875067539675,"sku":"D53060","price":199.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/lg_74232_Purple_Tang.jpg?v=1767208943","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/purple-tang-zebrasoma-xanthurum-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}