Scientific Name: Zebrasoma veliferum

Alt Scientific Name: Acanthurus velifer

Common Name: Sailfin Tang

Alt Common Name: Pacific Sailfin Tang

Group: Acanthuroids (Tangs/Surgeonfish)

Family: Acanthuridae

Distribution: Indo-pacific

Adult Size: 16 inches (40.6cm)

Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons

Temperament: This species is generally quite aggressive with other tangs or fish similar in appearance. Can become territorial once adults and may become aggressive with other tank mates.

Care Difficulty: 5/10

Reef Safety Score : 1/3

Temperature Range: 75°F - 82°F

pH Range: 8.1 - 8.4

Salinity Range (specific gravity): 1.02 - 1.026

Diet Information: Primarily Herbivorous but will eat some microinvertibrates - Sailfin tangs are heavy plant eaters. Their constant activity and high metabolism mean that they need to consume a lot of greens to stay healthy. For this reason, it is extremely helpful to have a constant source of algae for these fish to pick at throughout the day. Feedings of algae flakes, dried seaweed, macroalgae, and vegetables such as lettuce help to ensure that these fish get enough plant matter in their diet. These tangs will also happily eat many different frozen foods as well as microinvertibrates.

Additional Information : The Pacific Sailfin Tang is another member of the surgeonfishes and grows to be one of the largest of the commonly available tangs. They will need at least a 150 gallon tank, preferrably larger, to allow for adequate swimming space and to accomodate for their potential adult size of 16 inches. They can be fairly hardy once acclimated but will not do well in a tank that has not completed the nitrogen cycle. Try to add the Pacific Sailfin Tang to a tank that has been set up and running for at least 6 months and use your aquarium test kit to test the water parameters before introducing. You will also need highly oxygenated water provided through increased surface agitation (multiple powerheads) and/or the heavy use of air stones. The Pacific Sailfin Tang is very similar and often confused with the Red Sea Sailfin Tang. The Red Sea Sailfin has more dots at the base of the body and more pronounced white spots covering the front third of the body. The Pacific Sailfin will not do well with other surgeonfish, especially other Sailfins, unless the tank is extremely large (public aquariums). Pacific Sailfin Tangs seem to be susceptible to marine ich and you will definitely need to use a quarantine tank before introducing them into your main tank. Keep them in the hospital tank for at least two weeks and watch for any outbreaks.

Tank Mate Compatibility :

Breeding Information: No known way to breed in home aquariums.

Determining Sex: Females tend to be larger than males.

Primary Area in Tank: All over - active swimmer.