{"product_id":"gemmatum-tang","title":"Gemmatum Tang | Zebrasoma gemmatum","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gemmatum Tang, or Gem Tang, is one of the most coveted and beautiful surgeonfish in the hobby, its jet-black body scattered with countless bright white spots like stars, finished with a striking yellow tail. Reaching around 22 cm, it is an active, elegant grazer and a genuine showpiece. It is generally hardy for a Zebrasoma tang, though its rarity and price make it a considered purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species comes from the western Indian Ocean, including the reefs of Madagascar, Mauritius and the Mascarene Islands, where it grazes over rocky reef and slopes, often at slightly greater depth than many tropical tangs. It roams widely in search of algae throughout the day. In the aquarium it wants a spacious system with abundant live rock for grazing, long open swimming lanes and stable, well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is a deep velvety black covered in a dense scattering of small white to pale-blue spots, with a contrasting bright yellow tail and the disc-shaped, high-bodied profile typical of Zebrasoma tangs. Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel-like spine on each side of the tail base. The adult size of around 22 cm should be considered before purchase. A healthy specimen is full-bodied and grazes constantly, while a pinched belly warns of a fish that is not feeding well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is generally peaceful toward unrelated fish but semi-aggressive toward other tangs, especially other Zebrasoma species or fish of similar shape and colour. It is best kept as the only tang unless the aquarium is very large and introductions are staged carefully. Handle with care because of the sharp caudal spines. Given space, it settles into a confident, active community member that mixes well with most reef fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a herbivore. The staple should be dried seaweed (nori) on a clip plus marine algae and spirulina-based foods, along with quality herbivore pellets and the occasional meaty item such as mysis. Frequent grazing is important for digestion and long-term health, so feed several times a day and encourage natural algae growth on the rockwork. Good nutrition keeps its striking colours strong and improves disease resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 340 L, with 550 L or larger recommended for long-term health and swimming room. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Strong flow, high oxygen, efficient skimming and regular water changes suit this active grazer. As with all tangs, stable conditions, good nutrition and a quarantine routine help guard against whitespot. This is an intermediate-level fish whose main demands are space, a good algae-based diet and stable water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not achieved in the home aquarium. Surgeonfish are broadcast spawners with tiny pelagic larvae that drift for weeks before settling and require specialised planktonic feeds to rear. For the home keeper the realistic goal is a healthy, well-fed adult displaying its remarkable colours rather than captive breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZebrasoma gemmatum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGemmatum Tang (Gem Tang)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Indian Ocean; Madagascar, Mauritius and the Mascarenes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially to other tangs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e340 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e550 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, nori and herbivore preparations\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef and FOWLR systems with grazing and swimming room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include wrasses, angelfish, clownfish, rabbitfish, gobies, blennies and most peaceful to semi-robust reef fish, along with corals and invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs, especially Zebrasoma species, in all but very large aquariums, and with very aggressive fish that may harass it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234130346275,"sku":"AA1343","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234130379043,"sku":"AA1343-M","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234130411811,"sku":"AA1343-L","price":920.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-22cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55351932092707,"sku":"AA1343-XL","price":1060.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/gemmatum-tang-43090655314211.webp?v=1790305846","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/gemmatum-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}