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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Yellowtail tang

Zebrasoma xanthurum Blyth, 1852
Yellowtail Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
Yellowtail Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
Max Length
36.7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2
Depth
0–20 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Typical Length
10 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Often found in groups in coral-rich areas or on rocky bottoms . It small and numerous pharyngeal teeth suggest a diet that consists mainly of filamentous algae . Occasionally caught by traps and trawls .

Scientific Name
Zebrasoma xanthurum
Authority
Blyth, 1852
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
36.7 cm
Depth Range
0–20 m
Latitude
14°S – 31°N
Trophic Level
2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Water Temp
24–28 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Yellowtail tang is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Yellowtail tang is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Yellowtail tang is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Yellowtail tang is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m , usually 2 - 20 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 31°N - 14°S, 34°E - 81°E recorded from Maldives (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
2

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02291 × L2.97 (TL)
Max TL
36.7cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
24–28°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2010

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
31.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2
Omnivore / Planktivore
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
31°N – 14°S
Described By
Blyth, 1852

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Yellowtail tang is an edible species."

✓ Suitable Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.2 g
Omega-3 (total) 126 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Yellowtail tang has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Dusky Sailfin Tang · Red Sea Sailfin · Yellow Tang · Yellowtail Sailfin Tang · Yellowtail Tang · blue surgeonfish · purple tang · yellowtail surgeonfish
🇩🇰Danish Kejserkirurgfisk
🇫🇷French Acanthure à Queue Jaune
🇸🇪Swedish Gulstjärtad Kirurgfisk

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Acanthurus xanthurus Blyth 1852 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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