Desjardins Sailfin Tang

$115.00

The Desjardins Sailfin Tang is known under several different names, including Desjardinii tang, Desjardin's sailfin tang, Red Sea sailfin tang, and Indian sailfin surgeonfish. 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. These tangs can be hardy once properly acclimated but will not do well in a tank that has not completed the aquarium nitrogen cycle. Sailfin Tangs also need highly oxygenated water provided through increased surface agitation (multiple power heads) and/or the heavy use of air stones.

Desjardinii tangs inhabit lagoons, sheltered reefs and seaward reefs down to a depth of roughly 30 meters / 100 feet. Juveniles prefer to stay in sheltered lagoons and inner reef areas where they live solitary, usually among staghorn corals. Adults are typically encountered in pairs or in small groups in rocky environments.

The Desjardin's Sailfin Tang makes a wonderful addition to the marine aquarium, especially a large community aquarium. It is the largest of the tang family and requires a very large system and may establish a territory and fight with tankmates with similar body shapes. The body is oval or disc-shaped, with erectile and much elevated dorsal and anal fins. Its appearance can practically double in size at will by raising or lowering its sizable dorsal and anal fins.

A small juvenile Desjardinii tang can be kept in a 75 gallon / 285 litre aquarium, but it will eventually need at least 125 gallons / 475 litres as it grows older and bigger. It is important to provide it with plenty of space to swim around and should be housed in tanks with plenty of live rock, where can find macroalgaes to eat on. They should not bother corals, clams, or invertebrates.

Diet: Sailfin Tang are known to be herbivores and help keep corals healthy by preventing overgrowth of algae by feeding around them. They are happy to graze along rocks and coral for algae in the ocean. But when in a tank, you will need to provide them with little more nutrients. Dried algae are available to buy and recommended for their tank. 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. Overall, the Desjardins Sailfin Tang is a wonderful tang species that can be a beneficial tank member by eating pesky alga.

Name: Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardini)
Aggressiveness: With Same Species
Diet: herbivore, will eat some meaty foods
Max Size: 16"
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Relative Care: moderate