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Captive Bred Yellow Tangs

A Classic Improved: Aquacultured Yellow Tangs

by greg.chernoff

Captive Bred Yellow TangsThere is hardly a more iconic saltwater aquarium fish than BIOTA yellow tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens). We can just start out by stating the obvious; it is a real stand-out. Nothing “pops” like the bright yellow blaze of this species. Its highly laterally compressed body and pronounced snout give it an undeniably exotic, “marine” appearance. Boldly pigmented and rather hyperactive, you need not look long to notice this fish in any reef tank.

But that’s not all… Z. flavescens is totally reef safe. This fish will even protect your corals by nibbling away various types of nuisance algae (e.g. hair algae). It is simple to house (so long as it has plenty of swimming space) and easy to feed (so long as vegetable matter is included in its diet). While it doesn’t always coexist with its own kind very well, it is generally peaceful in its interactions with other fishes.

Making the Best Better

With its many great attributes, it’s no wonder that this species has been so highly valued. Despite being quite common in the trade, the yellow tangs still reigns as one of the most popular marine ornamental fishes.

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Still, every species has it’s weak spot. For the yellow tang, it is a high susceptibility to external parasitic infestations. For wild-caught aquarium specimens, the big threat is from Cryptocaryon ciliates (i.e. the so-called marine ich disease). Tangs in general and yellow tangs in particular are frequently referred to as “ich magnets” due to their ability to attract (and ultimately spread) these horrible (if not potentially deadly) pests. Wild yellow tangs have an additional susceptibility to Paravortex turbellarian flatworm infestations, which appear as little black dots across the animal’s body.

You would think that with the species’ importance in the trade/hobby and also the prevalence of disease (especially parasites) in wild specimens, it would be a huge target for aquaculture. You would be right, and it has been. However, the yellow tang turned out to be quite difficult to breed and rear under captive conditions. In all, it took nearly two decades of dedicated research to develop the techniques used to culture this fish. And, commercially produced aquarium specimens have only just recently become available to the public for the first time ever!

As is usually the case with captive bred animals, these aquacultured yellow tangs have proven to be hardier, more social and easier to ship than wild alternatives. And, significantly, they are markedly more resistant to the above mentioned parasites. Since they have lived their entire lives within the confines of a tank, it’s also reasonable to additionally assume that they are far more adaptable to life in the typical home aquarium.

Aquacultured yellow tangs from AlgaeBarn are yet more sound of a choice, as these specimens (like all AlgaeBarn livestock) are held and conditioned before shipment. While adult yellow tangs can reach of eight inches or more, these individuals are of a much more manageable size, being around two to three inches in length.

A Little Natural History

Zebrasoma flavescens occurs across the Pacific Ocean from Hawaii to Japan. It is not common everywhere throughout this range, but where it does occur it can be quite numerous. It prefers the shallow parts (2-46 meters) of coral reefs, where it sometimes forms large groups. This highly active herbivore spends most of the daylight hours grazing on whatever hair or turf algae it finds growing on the reef.

Keeping the Yellow Tang

For all the reasons mentioned above and more (aquaculture is a sustainable choice!), one should start out by acquiring a captive bred, rather than wild-caught, specimen. Remember, the difference in price for the animal might be a few bucks, but the difference in aquarium adaptability can be huge. Avoiding even just a single disease outbreak, for example, is invaluable.

Yellow tangs are energetic and swim nonstop during daylight hours. Even captive bred individuals will appreciate a larger (especially longer) tank that has at least one big, open area. A minimum of 45 gallons or (better yet) 55 gallons of tank volume should be offered to a small, growing juvenile. No less than 90 gallons should be used to house a large adult. Except for the rare instance where a very large shoal can be maintained in a very large system, only a single yellow tang is recommended per tank.

Yellow tangs have a mainly vegetarian diet in the wild. Likewise, for the best nourishment in captivity, this fish should be fed items such as macroalgae daily. The old “freeze-dried nori on a clip” trick always works well. This allows the animal to graze in a more or less natural manner. Those aquarists who maintain a refugium full of lush, fast-growing macroalgae already have the best source of live food their fish could ever hope for. Some aquarists specifically cultivate extra-palatable types such as sea lettuce (Ulva) or ogo (Gracilaria) specifically with this purpose in mind. Fresh live macros, like most live foods in general, go the furthest to help ensure a healthy, colorful aquarium animal as they are richest in vitamins, pigments, fatty acids, etc.

And one last thing: Don’t worry if you see your tang go pale and seem “out of it” at night. It is likely just sleeping. While in deep sleep, some can fade to a light cream color!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  8. Rich Turner says

    A great tang gang is my favorite way to control algae in my reef!!! Yellows are some of the best workers

    Reply

  21. Charles Wheeler says

    I’m happy to see the hobby (salt and fresh) moving towards aqua culture. Now if we could get it going in the 3rd world countries we used to get our wild fish from we could help stop the deforestation and palm tree farms by stimulating their economies.

    Reply

  24. Douglas Campbell says

    I love tangs the colors and how they keep algae at Bay. My favorite of all is the Achilles Tang such a beautiful fish

    Reply

  26. Perry Eason says

    I had 3 of these in a 150 some time back. Nice to know they’re available as captive bred now. Beautiful fish and great algae grazers.

    Reply

  27. Sally says

    I have a yellow tang, wild not captive. She has a super personality and is a beauty in my tank. This article has given me great insight to this fish and it’s behavior. Thank you, Algaebarn! Great information.

    Reply

  39. gj10609 says

    Absolutely love that you provide not only a variety of items/supplies to hobbyists, but knowledge as well to further their growing tanks! So glad that I got on board!

    Reply

  51. bourgetrider06 says

    Got a move in the future and as soon as the tank is back up and running this will be one of our tang Gang…

    Reply

  53. sclarke_o says

    If I had the room I would definitely get a tang blue and yellow but 40 isn’t enough space with rocks and other species.

    Reply

  55. Stephanie Foults says

    I definitely want one of these fish, once I have a bigger habitat for them so they can thrive. I think doing captive bred is a responsible alternative to capture on the reef, and I’m glad they are heartier.

    Reply

    • greg.chernoff says

      William! Truthfully the captive bred Yellow Tangs we have in stock here are incredibly strong and disease free! WE have had incredible success with captive bred tangs overall, and you will too!

      Reply

  80. Amanda Clare says

    I have one of these guys and he is so fun to watch! My 3 year old loves watching Yellow (that’s what she named him) and always checks on him first when we come home from being out.

    Reply

  82. shirley devera-Caldwell says

    Gorgeous fish. Are aqua cultured tanks also susceptible to ich and flatworms or do you treat with copper prior to shipping?

    Reply

  101. Jordan Lai says

    The best thing about macros is it’s not only refuge for copped a but it’s also a great food source for my fish. I can travel for weeks at a time and my herbivores will just munch on the macros.

    Reply

  104. Eric says

    I think Aquacultured Salt fish and inverts is a really good thing then we are not putting extra stress on the reefs that dose not need to be there.

    Reply

  109. Shaun says

    I love my yellow tang. When my whole tank died, for some reason the yellow tang didn’t. So either I have the luckiest yellow tang in the world or he is strong as hell

    Reply

  110. mattsingledad says

    I would never consider a wild caught yellow tang as they are now captive bred which makes the much healthier to keep in a tank.

    Reply

  111. Jeff Tarquinio says

    My Yellow tang loves seaweed. Would a macroalgae be ok for it to eat instead of the seaweed. Which one is best?

    Reply

  123. Mike Turnbull says

    I have a sailfin tang. I had a naso tang but it died after a couple days. Love the naso and want to give it another go with a blonde naso.

    Reply

  129. Julie Cowell says

    Beautiful. Great information, I didn’t realize you could get a “bred” one. Can’t wait till I can get one!

    Reply

  137. Austin Brown says

    Nothing make me happier than seeing efforts to sustain the marine world. Breeding and aquaculture will be the future. Period, no questions asked. I’ll be ordering 2 of these dudes for my reef

    Reply

  140. goneboggin says

    I love my yellow tang. Definitely one of the best additions you can add t ok any reef tank given its large enough

    Reply

  148. Jeff says

    Want a yellow tang, hopefully can get one that gets along with my Purple Tang. Just started a new tank, maybe they can coexist.

    Reply

  158. Emily Johnson says

    Love tangs, we dont have a yellow yet but we love our sailfin tang. Hes a chunky munk and is spoiled rotten with all the foods XD

    Reply

  160. James Engels says

    If we can respectfully breed more fish at a very healthy rate the better overall for us in this hobby that way we can STOP removing them from the natural waters.

    Reply

  162. Dan S says

    Recently added a yellow tang-what a gorgeous fish, unique shape and stark color, and fun personality. Cool addition to my reef.

    Reply

  171. SUSAN EDWARDS says

    I love yellow tangs. My son in law has a school of them in his huge systems. nothing prettier than a bunch of yellow fish

    Reply

  172. Brandon Stader says

    If there is one thing to add, it’s if you get a Tang for a small tank remember to trade it for another small Tang once it out grows your tank

    Reply

  174. ReefGirlVicki says

    I have a Mandarin that I got through you that I absolutely love. I would like to one day get a Uellow tang once I have a larger tank. They have always been one of my favorite fish!

    Reply

  175. Jason Beguhn says

    I would love to have a yellow tang in my tank but I already have a tang in there and I’m afraid that they’ll fight.

    Reply

  176. Beverly Fincannon says

    I love yellow tangs! My tank unfortunately is too small for them, but whenever I see them in a display, it is breathtaking.

    Reply

  197. Zoe says

    It’s so awesome they can captive breed more and more fish now! Hopefully in the future most of the fish in stores will be aquaculture

    Reply

  207. Daniel Ugas says

    This is great info, as I’m looking into adding a yellow tang to my system in the near future. Researching as much as possible before hand. Thanks!

    Reply

  218. Daniel P says

    I’ve had a variety of tangs since 2000 and my current yellow since 2005. I literally feel as if I have the meanest yellow tang in the world. He’s old and grumpy but sure if pretty lol..great to see we now have captive bred tangs vs wild caught becoming the norm slowly.

    Reply

  230. Ferrell Andrews says

    I saw my fist captive bred YTs this weekend about the size of a half dollar and almost clear. Great looking fish

    Reply

  233. Eric Hicks says

    I have a small store that I run out of my house for my fellow reefers here in northern B.C Canada and love all the fish that I get to see on a daily basis and my favourite is still the tang there are many types and all are different in their own way.

    Reply

  235. adnedarn says

    Sounds like this guy could be the solution to my chaeto always making its way into my display and ultimately blowing out the front of the power heads. 0_o

    Reply

  236. Melena says

    Love how bright the yellow tang is! Aquaculture is the best way to go. I will be getting one soon hopefully.

    Reply

  240. noeevanf says

    I always prefer captive bread fish. It may cost a little more, but it’s better in the long run for your tank to be able to thrive. Not to mention it’s better and safer for the fish as well.

    Reply

  247. George Willings says

    I have a yellow tang in my display tank, and a Powder Blue Tang in QT right now, just observing the fish and building the immune system.

    Reply

  264. Travis Alexander says

    My new larger tank is here now. I’m looking forward to getting my first tangs very soon!

    Reply

  268. Shane Tackett says

    “Don’t worry if you see your tang go pale and seem “out of it” at night. It is likely just sleeping. While in deep sleep, some can fade to a light cream color!” My Foxface does this. Freaked me out the first time I saw it. LOL

    Reply

  271. nrburgei says

    I love the idea of captive bred fish. I definitely want to add one of these tangs soon to keep the movement going.

    Reply

  283. Rhonda Swetnam says

    I am a huge believer in purchasing aquacultured fish, etc. for all of the reasons listed here. It just makes good sense and I believe is the responsible thing to do. Thank you for all of your great articles!

    Reply

  300. Richard Conolly says

    Always loved these. I would have 10 if I could keep them all and not have them fight with each other.

    Reply

  301. Amber says

    I absolutely love Tangs and my shopping list with these beautiful creatures is quite long. They are an amazing fish to have in reef tanks!!

    Reply

  302. Michael Mooney says

    To keep my wife happy with this hobby of mine, I need to get a yellow tang ASAP. It’s the only thing she wants in the tank lol

    Reply

  312. Victoria Brewer says

    I have chosen all captive breed fish for my smaller tank but I would love a yellow tang someday when I have a larger system

    Reply

  313. Nancy Rolfe Lesslie says

    I love the idea of aquaculture livestock. Allows us to have reef beauty in our homes while allowing the fish and corals to stay in the ocean. In my experience aquaculture livestock have been great additions to our tank

    Reply

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