Species Type:
Fishes
Common Name(s):
Sailfin tang
Size:
These fish can grow up to 16 inches (40 centimeters) long.
Diet:
Sailfin tangs feed on leafy macroalgae like seagrasses.
Range & Habitat:
Common in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, sailfin tangs inhabit lagoons, coral colonies and rocky areas.
Details:
Sailfin tangs are mostly brown-gray in color with stripes of yellow and white. Sailfin tangs are primarily herbivorous and graze on algae found on reefs. Their long, sharp teeth are perfect for scraping algae off rocks and coral. The blue dot at the base of their tail is a distinctive feature that helps in their identification.