Tang (fish)

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Tang | image = Yellow.tang.arp.jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = Yellow Tang | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Actinopterygii | ordo = Perciformes | subordo = Ruminantia | familia = Acanthuridae | genus = Zebrasoma | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = Zebrasoma desjardinii
Zebrasoma flavescens
Zebrasoma gemmatum
Zebrasoma rostratum
Zebrasoma scopas
Zebrasoma veliferum
Zebrasoma xanthurum }} Tangs are a kind of saltwater fish which inhabit shallow reefs and beds of seagrass from the east coast of Africa northward to the Red Sea, over the broad span of the Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, and Oceania, and eastward to the Hawaiian Islands. The ideal temperature of their habitat is warm waters between the middle 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit (25 to 30 °C). The Zebrasoma comprise seven species of pointed-snout, disc-like bodied, sail-like finned, single peduncular-spined fishes and it is true that this genus of surgeonfishes is commonly accepted as being properly termed "Tang".

Tangs are usually placid community fish, many forming large groups or shoals, although fiercely territorial against other Tangs or similar shaped or coloured fish in a typical aquarium setting. All Tangs and Surgeon Fish are characterised by having a forward facing spine (two on some species of surgeon) on each side of the caudal peduncle (visible as a short, horizontal stripe on the base of the tail in the above picture). This spine, apart from terminating in a point, has angular edges that result in a scalpel-like sharpness along its length also. When alarmed, some Tangs can erect the spines sideways and slash at their opponent with rapid sideways movements of the tail. In other tangs, the spines are not retractable and are always in the offensive position. Great care must be exercised by aquarists should it be necessary to handle these fish. An encounter with even a small, frightened Tang can result in stitches. Large specimens are quite capable of inflicting deep, life-threatening injuries. Colloquially described as a "Fish with a flick-knife". Due mainly to their calm nature, such attacks on humans are rare. Aggression in Tangs is usually confined to presenting their tails to a would be predator or attacker and is usually minimal against conspecifics, some however have noticed the Purple Tang and Sohal Tang to be more aggressive than most. Most aggression however is due to territory disputes.

Adults range from 6 to 15 inches in length and most grow very quickly.

Image:Regal.tang.arp.750pix.jpg

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