Zebrasoma gemmatum

(Valenciennes, 1835)

Spotted Sailfin Tang, Gem Tang

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique and South Africa, also Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius.

Size: 9 inches (22 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coral and rocky reefs and usually found at depths between 10 - 150 feet (3 - 45 m) where it feeds mainly on filamentous algae.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body with a small long snout, with a dark brown body having numerous white dots and a yellow tail.

Best maintained in well-established reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and rocky crevices to seek shelter if needing to, and preferably with copious amounts of macro and microalgae. Tankmates should be non-fin-nipping species and quite peaceful, as those in this genus have large fins that make good targets for fin-nippers.

Requires a varied vegetable diet, including Spirulina, zucchini, broccoli, dried seaweed (Nori), and enriched vegetable flakes, and requires two or three feedings per day.

In fact, copious amounts of live macroalgae, e.g., Caulerpa, such as C. prolifera and C. mexicana is often quite helpful in keeping those in this genus well fed and healthy.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Acanthuroidei

Family: Acanthuridae

Genus: Zebrasoma

FYI: One per aquarium as this is an extremely territorial species.

Has a sharp forward pointing spine on each side of the caudal peduncle, which folds into a groove. Erected when excited. Handle with care!

Aggressive towards others in the family, yet peaceful with other tankmates.

May nip stony and soft corals.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Herbivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.5