Black tang
Zebrasoma rostratum
Also known as Black Longnose Tang, Longnose Surgeonfish, Black Sailfin Tang, Longnose Tang
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 8.3 in
- 21 cm
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal
- 450 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Origin
- Central and western Pacific including Hawaii and the Line Islands, on coral-rich reef slopes.
Overview
Provide at least 450 litres with rockwork for grazing and open lanes for swimming at 24 to 27 C. Keep only one Zebrasoma per tank and avoid mixing it with other similar tangs. Feed nori, spirulina and marine algae daily plus a little meaty food. It is reef safe and only rarely nips corals when its algae supply runs short.
In the wild
The black tang is a solid velvety black Zebrasoma with a longer snout used to reach algae in tight crevices. It grazes reef rock through the day and is a strong, steady swimmer. Adults are territorial toward other Zebrasoma but coexist with dissimilar fish. Its all-black color makes it a striking contrast fish in a reef display.
Good to know
Zebrasoma rostratum grows to about 21 cm and gets its longnose name from an elongated snout. It comes from the central and western Pacific and is uncommon in the trade. The species is a dedicated herbivore.
Did you know
The extra-long snout lets it pull algae from cracks that blunter-faced tangs cannot reach.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Black tang is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Pearly jawfish
Opistognathus aurifrons
Saltwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Bicolor anthias
Pseudanthias bicolor
Saltwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 125 gal (475 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Leopard wrasse
Macropharyngodon meleagris
Saltwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Black tang need?
A Black tang needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Black tang need?
A Black tang is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Black tang get?
An adult Black tang reaches about 8.3 in (21 cm).
Related species
8.7 in (22 cm)151 gal (570 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Gem tang
Zebrasoma gemmatum
8.7 in (22 cm) · 151 gal (570 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Scopas tang
Zebrasoma scopas
7.9 in (20 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Yellow tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
7.9 in (20 cm) · 100 gal (380 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Purple tang
Zebrasoma xanthurum
9.8 in (25 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)145 gal (550 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Sailfin tang
Zebrasoma veliferum
11.8 in (30 cm) · 145 gal (550 L)
15.7 in (40 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Red Sea sailfin tang
Zebrasoma desjardinii
15.7 in (40 cm) · 180 gal (680 L)