{"product_id":"purple-tang","title":"Purple Tang | Zebrasoma xanthurum","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum) is one of the most sought-after surgeonfish in the hobby, glowing deep royal purple with a bright yellow tail. It is an active, algae-grazing tang that brings colour and constant motion to a larger reef, reaching around 25 cm as an adult.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eZebrasoma xanthurum comes from the Red Sea and the north-western Indian Ocean, where it grazes filamentous algae across shallow reefs and rocky slopes. It is a strong, roaming swimmer that needs open water and plenty of live rock to browse in the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is a rich, even purple, often showing fine darker speckling on the head, with a vivid yellow tail and yellow flushes in the pectoral fins. It has the deep, disc-shaped body and sharp caudal spine typical of Zebrasoma tangs. Good specimens are full-bodied with clean, unbroken colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially toward other tangs and similarly shaped fish. Keep only one per tank unless the aquarium is very large, and add tangs together where possible. It mixes well with clownfish, wrasse, angelfish, rabbitfish and other robust reef fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a herbivore. Provide plenty of marine algae — dried seaweed (nori) on a clip daily, plus spirulina and herbivore preparations — with some meaty foods such as mysis for variety. Good vegetable nutrition supports colour, weight and immune strength and reduces aggression and coral nipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 380 L, with 450 L or larger recommended for this active grazer. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. Give it strong flow, excellent oxygenation, open swimming room and robust filtration. Stable water and steady feeding help prevent the lateral line erosion tangs are prone to.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not practical in home aquariums. Like all tangs it is a pelagic spawner with tiny larvae requiring specialised commercial rearing. Focus on a spacious, stable system and excellent nutrition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZebrasoma xanthurum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePurple Tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Sea and north-western Indian Ocean\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\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\u003e380 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, dried seaweed (nori), spirulina preparations and some meaty foods\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\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger reef aquariums and FOWLR systems with swimming room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe; well-fed fish rarely trouble corals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, wrasse, angelfish, rabbitfish, larger gobies and other robust reef fish. Choose tank mates that are not similarly shaped tangs to reduce conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs and surgeonfish in anything but very large tanks, similarly shaped and coloured fish, and very timid species that may be bullied or outcompeted for food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55304234926371,"sku":"AA1461","price":375.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234126643491,"sku":"AA1697","price":375.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234126676259,"sku":"AA1461-L","price":430.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55353177571619,"sku":"AA1461-XL","price":495.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562740498723,"sku":"AA1461-S-CB","price":375.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562740531491,"sku":"AA1461-M-CB","price":375.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562740564259,"sku":"AA1461-L-CB","price":430.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562740597027,"sku":"AA1461-XL-CB","price":495.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/purple-tang-43090655871267.webp?v=1790305845","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/purple-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}