Purple tang size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 20 cm. The largest on record measured 36.7 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 6 Zebrasoma species on LumaReef: 20 cm (Yellow tang) to 40 cm (Indian Sailfin Tang).

Purple tang tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 150 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.

Purple tang water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Zebrasoma on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).

Purple tang tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 36 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Threadfin butterflyfish, Raccoon butterflyfish, and Dwarf lionfish.

Purple tang depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 0 to 20 m down. Shallower than most Zebrasoma on LumaReef (0–45 m).

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Purple tang

Zebrasoma xanthurum

It claims the whole tank and strikes rivals with its tail blade.

The Purple tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum) is a tropical marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. It lives on and around reefs, between 0 and 20 m deep. Adults grow to about 20 cm; the largest on record measured 36.7 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 150 cm long and water at 24–28 °C.

Size: 20 cm
Smallest tank: 150 cm
Temperature: 24–28 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature24–28 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Aggressive
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Busy
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Reef safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litres21 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres40 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres48 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along36 species

and 12 more species

Caution12 species

Crowding the same layer

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together51 species

These two do not get along

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 36.7 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

0 m20 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilyAcanthuridae
GenusZebrasoma
SpeciesZebrasoma xanthurum
Described byBlyth, 1852

In other languages

German: Blauer Segelflossendoktor
Spanish: Pez Cirujano de Cola Amarilla
French: Chirurgien à queue jaune
Italian: Pesce chirurgo blu del Mar Rosso
Dutch: Geelstaart Zeilvin-doktersvis
Russian: Зебрасома желтохвостая
Chinese: 紫高鰭刺尾魚

Quick answers

Purple tang size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 20 cm. The largest on record measured 36.7 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 6 Zebrasoma species on LumaReef: 20 cm (Yellow tang) to 40 cm (Indian Sailfin Tang).
Purple tang tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 150 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.
Purple tang water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Zebrasoma on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).
Purple tang tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 36 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Threadfin butterflyfish, Raccoon butterflyfish, and Dwarf lionfish.
Purple tang: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Purple tang and corals: is it reef safe?: Yes, it leaves corals alone.
Purple tang depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 0 to 20 m down. Shallower than most Zebrasoma on LumaReef (0–45 m).