The following is a list of marine aquariumfish species commonly available in the aquarium trade. It is not a completely comprehensive list; certain rare specimens may sometimes be available commercially yet not be listed here. A brief section on each, with additional links is provided.
These big beauties are luridly coloured and very interesting to watch, but not for the faint hearted aquarist. They need large aquariums and should not be kept in groups. Two angels might be kept in the same aquarium provided it is a large aquarium, they are properly acclimated as juveniles, and they are have very different colouring and body shape. However, because all Angelfish have essentially the same diet, mixing them is a feat that should be left to only advanced keepers. None are reef safe, and a potential owner should be aware that they need to have plenty of vegetable matter in their diet. They undergo major changes in colouration while maturing, and unless specified given descriptions are for adult specimens.
Blue Angelfish has an overall aqua hue with a yellow shimmer and yellow edges on the fins and scales. The Blue Angelfish does not have the striking blue crown or other blue highlights of the Queen Angelfish. Max size 45 cm (18").
Cortez Angelfish
Pomacanthus zonipectus
No
Moderate
Darkly hued with yellow stripes. Max size 46 cm (18").
Juveniles are black with blue-white spiraling; Adults are blue with yellow stripes, accented with white and black and a blue mask. Max size 40 cm (16").
Juveniles are black with 3 yellow vertically running stripes, may also display blue on pelvic fins. Adults lard black with with white vertical stripes. Max size 41 cm (16").
Gray Angelfish
Pomacanthus arcuatus
No
Easy to Moderate
Light grey with dark spots and bluish/grey mask over face. Closely related to French Angelfish. Max size 60 cm (26").
Half-Moon Angelfish
Pomacanthus maculosus
No
Easy
Blue with yellow splotch-like marking on side. Max size 50 cm (20").
Koran Angelfish
Pomacanthus semicirculatus
No
Moderate
Grey towards the face, becoming a navy blue towards the caudal fin with striking irridescent blue accents throughout. Max size 40 cm (15").
Majestic Angelfish
Pomacanthus navarchus
No
Difficult
Yellow sides and back, transitioning to blue towards the base of the caudal fin and face, with a bright blue streak across the chin. Max size 28 cm (11").
Passer (King) Angelfish
Holacanthus passer
No
Moderate
Very dark blue with yellow caudal fin and distinctive white stripe. Max size 36 cm (14").
Queen Angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
No
Moderate
Tan coloured with bright orange caudal fin and neon blue outlined fins. Max size 45 cm (17").
Royal Angelfish
Pygoplites diacanthus
No
Expert
Orange and blue striped with dark blue dorsal fin and lemon yellow caudal fin. Max size 25 cm (10").
Japanese Swallow Angelfish
Genicanthus semifasciatus
Yes
Moderate
Black and tan striped back with yellow blaze beginning at the mouth and tapering off towards the centre of the side, with light blueish grey underside. Has distinctively shaped tail resembling that of a swallow. Max size 21 cm (8").
Although Dwarf Angelfish are smaller and generally more manageable than their larger counterparts, they still have some specific care requirements. They are omnivores, but plenty of vegetable matter, preferably in the form of macroalgae, should be provided for their grazing pleasure. Their suitability for reef tanks is hotly debated, so add at your own risk. The only possible exception to this is the Flame Angelfish, which is generally considered safe. However, for obvious reasons it should not be put into tanks with expensive decorative macroalgae.
Flame Angelfish, a popular aquarium species.Coral Beauty AngelfishLemonpeel Angelfish.
Common name
Taxonomy
Reef safe
Care Level
Description
Coral beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosus
With Caution
Easy to Moderate
Reddish body with blue back and orange fins. Max size 10 cm (4")
Eibli Angelfish
Centropyge eibli
With Caution
Easy to Moderate
Tan coloured body with vertical brown stripes and large distinctive black splotch covering the back of the fish, including the caudal fin. Max size 15 cm (6")
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loricula
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Vivid orange-red with vertical black stripes and blue patches toward the end of the dorsal and anal fins. Max size 15 cm (6").
Although Anthias resemble damsels in shape and size, the two should never be confused. Where damsels are the goats of the Saltwater world, Anthias (also called "Fairy Basslets") are finicky and many starve to death in captivity. In the wild, they eat zooplankton, and will not accept anything but in the aquarium. They also need to be fed nearly constantly, three times a day at least. The best way to ensure the health and longevity of an Anthias is to attach a refugium where you can grow copepods to "drip" into the display tank. Unlike many other saltwater aquarium inhabitants, they can be kept in groups.
In this exceedingly large group of fish, few are considered proper aquarium inhabitants, for various reasons including diet and size. Be aware that Basses vary greatly from species to species, and do appropriate research before purchasing a specimen. Many unsuspecting hobbyists bring home cute little specimens of popular aquarium fish such as the Lyretail Grouper, only to realize several months later that they don't have the resources to care for a meter-long that may cost hundreds of dollars a month to feed.
Painted ComberBlue Dot GrouperLyretail Grouper
Common name
Taxonomy
Reef safe
Care Level
Description
Blue Dot Grouper
Cephalopholis argus
No
Moderate
Deep black to tan fish with blue spots throughout. Max size 50 cm (20").
Blue Line Grouper
Cephalopholis formosa
No
Moderate
Dark tan with horizontal blue stripes that aren't particularly straight. The caudal fin has more of these stripes, and they radiate from the base of the fin out to the tips. Max size 34 cm (13")
Chalk Bass
Serranus tortugarum
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Blue iridescent body with distinctive black topside that is interrupted by small vertical blue stripes. Max size 8 cm (3").
Golden Stripe Soapfish
Grammistes sexlineatus
No
Moderate
Chocolate brown with light yellow horizontal stripes. Similar in patterning to C. argus (with exception to the coloration). Max size 30 cm (11")
Harlequin Bass
Serranus tigrinus
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Very striking black and white checkerboard pattern all over, with very long tapering nose. Max size 29 cm (11")
Leaflip Grouper
Pogonoperca punctata
No
Moderate
Sports a large, hinged mouth and is tan with little spots. Has brown triangle shaped markings down the spine. Max size 35 cm (13").
Miniatus Grouper
Cephalopholis miniatus
No
Moderate
Orange to red with large blue spots throughout. Max size 45 cm (18").
Panther Grouper
Cromileptes altivelis
No
Difficult
Gorgeous pure white fish with black spots and a distinctive "hump" on the head, leading to a popular common name, "Humpback Grouper". Max size 75 cm (30").
Painted Comber
Serranus scriba
No
Easy to Moderate
Large fish with classic Bass body, Silvery in colour with vertical tan stripes and a blue underside. Max size 36 cm (14").
Red Flag Grouper
Cephalopholis urodeta
No
Moderate
Very similar to C. miniatus, but the caudal fin is dark. Max size 28 cm (11").
Basslets and Assessors are small, long bodied fish strongly resembling Anthias. Their care requirements, however, are closer to those of damsels. They should be kept individually, and generally not with other fish of similar shape and colour. Feeding is easy: they will generally eat any meaty foods offered. Good water quality should be maintained at all times.
Royal GrammaBlack Cap Gramma
Common name
Taxonomy
Reef safe
Care Level
Description
Black Cap Gramma
Gramma melacara
Yes
Moderate
Purple with a black mask beginning at the mouth and ending at the base of the dorsal fin. Max size 6 cm (2").
Blue Assesor
Assessor macneilli
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Entirely navy blue with white edging of the dorsal fin. Max size 7 cm (3").
Purple head and anterior, abruptly changing to yellow about halfway down the body. Has black marking through eye and another on the dorsal fin. Do not confuse with the Brazilian Gramma or the Bicolor Dottyback. Max size 5 cm (2").
Brazilian Gramma
Gramma brasiliensis
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Very similar to the royal gramma, however the change from purple to yellow occurs farther down the body and the black markings are absent. Max size 6 cm (2").
Yellow Assessor
Assessor flavissimus
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Bright lemon yellow with peach fringing of the dorsal fin and around the eye. Max size 7 cm (3").
Batfish are gorgeous and striking fish that are not common in aquaria for one major reason: they get huge. A two or three hundred gallon tank is needed for one, minimum, and larger is better. They start out as tiny, manageable-looking cuties, which often fools aquarists into purchasing them for their small aquariums. However they quickly grow to gargantuan proportions, and require large amounts of food as well as space, so beware. They are not reef safe and should be fed plenty of large meaty foods.
Batfish change greatly as they grow, however the potential aquarist is most likely to see them in their juvenile form, so that is the description of the colouration here. They all have generally the same body shape: disk-like with tall dorsal and anal fins, similar to a Freshwater Angelfish.
Blennies are popular aquarium fish, and for good reason. They are peaceful, colorful, and many are downright helpful. For example, the aptly named Lawnmower Blenny will keep your green algae well trimmed and presentable. With the exception of Fang Blennies, Blennies are totally reef safe- in fact a reef environment is really best for them because they can be shy and the intricate rockwork of a reef provides ample hiding spaces. They are omnivores and should be fed a varied diet of frozen or live foods and plant matter. Blennies don't have teeth or functional jaw, so food must be big enough for them to swallow whole.
Blennies are often confused with Gobies, but there is an easy way to tell the difference. Blennies have a single dorsal fin that runs down the length of their bodies- gobies only have one.
Brown checkered body with distinctive yellow frills on head. Max size 2 cm.
Bicolor Blenny
Ecsenius bicolor
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Characterized by the striking contrast of a blue head and upper torso followed by a yellow orange lower torso. Max size 11 cm.
Blackline Fang Blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatus
No
Easy to Moderate
Yellow bodied with bright blue mask and dark black line running from the eye to the caudal fin. Max size 9 cm.
Bundoon Blenny
Meiacanthus bundoon
No
Easy to Moderate
Black with lighter patch over caudal fin. Very distinctive swallowtail caudal fin. Max size 8 cm.
Canary Fang Blenny
Meiacanthus oualanensis
No
Easy to Moderate
Similarly shaped to M. bundoon, but canary yellow. Max size 5 cm.
Lawnmower Blenny
Salarias fasciatus
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Tan and brown striped and spotted with iridescence. Max size 14 cm.
Midas Blenny
Ecsenius midas
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Although often seen yellow, this fish has the ability to change its color to match the surroundings. It has a very distinctive swallowtail shaped caudal fin. Max size 13 cm.
Red Lip Blenny
Ophioblennius atlanticus
Yes
Easy to Moderate
Black to grayish yellow with red patch over mouth. Max size 19 cm.
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Ecsenius gravieri
Moderate
Sky blue anterior fading to yellow towards the tail, with a black stripe running the eye to the base of the caudal fin. Max size 8 cm.
Sailfin Blenny
Emblemaria pandionis
Yes
Moderate
Very similar to S. fasciatus but slightly darker and with a much larger dorsal fin. Max size 5 cm.
Tail Spot Blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura
Yes
Moderate
Drab tan all over with dark spot at the base of the caudal fin and a light yellow line through eye. Max size 6 cm.
Two-Spot Blenny
Ecsenius bimaculatus
Yes
Moderate
The top half of this fish is black towards the front and fades to white closer to the tail. The bottom half is white with two distinctive black spots right under the pectoral fins. Max size 4.5 cm.
Diamond Blenny
Malacoctenus boehlkei
Yes
Moderate
Gray with black splotches, and a yellow mask. Shaped more like hawkfish than a blenny. Max size 6.5 cm.
Convict Blenny
Pholidichthys leucotaenia
Yes
Moderate
Black eel-shaped body with a distinctive white stripe running down the body. Adults are yellow and black striped. Max size 34 cm.
Members of the family Tetraodontidae, Boxfish, Puffers and their cousins Cowfishes and Porcupinefishes have the distinction of being the "last" fish- the most recent to evolve. Some of their ancestors crawled up on land and eventually became frogs, lizards, and everything else, including Humans, that currently walk the terrestrial world. If that isn't fascinating enough for you, Boxfish and Puffers are very also personable and quirky pets, for the prepared.
They are not thought of as an ordinary aquarium tank mate, but are quickly gaining popularity. They do pose a hazard in the community tank however. They are capable of releasing a very powerful toxin which can kill other fish and in some cases, the boxfish itself. They generally only use it when threatened or dying, but can become disturbed easily with aggressive tank mates or overcrowded aquarium. Generally they are reef safe, though they will pick at invertebrates if not fed well enough.
Many people think puffed up Pufferfish, like in the picture, are cute, but an owner should never subject their pet to this as they are often unable to expel the air should they be out of the water. To prevent this, never remove a puffer from the water.
Smooth TrunkfishPuffed up D. holocanthus.O. cubicus
Common name
Taxonomy
Reef safe
Care Level
Description
Helmet Cowfish
Tetrasomus gibbosus
Caution
Expert
Tan with dark speckles and brown spots at the base of the caudal fin. Max size 30 cm.
Usually seen as a juvenile, bright yellow with little black spots. When it reaches maturity it is gray with yellow lines and pink lips. Max size 45 cm.
Scribbled Boxfish
Ostracion solorensis
Caution
Moderate
Dark navy blue with iridescent "scribbling" and spots. Max size 12 cm.
Tan with slightly darker spots throughout and very conspicuous spines that lay flat against the body. When puffed up, the spikes stand up and make the fish completely inedible. Max 50 cm.
Butterflyfish, when properly cared for, can make beautiful and distinctive additions to fish only marine aquariums. Often large and usually not suited for those with smaller aquariums, nor those of the faint of heart. Nevertheless, when fed a varied diet and kept in pristine conditions, Butterflyfish will usually thrive. That is, if you choose the right species. With Butterflyfish, usually a fish is going to survive, or it's not. Many species simply cannot be kept in captivity, and potential keepers must take care to only purchase those species that have a fighting chance. Also, be very picky about which specimen you choose- any sign of mishandling should be taken as a red flag.
The following species are relatively hardy and an experienced aquarist should have no trouble with them, so long as they are diligent.
C. lunulaC. rostratusC. aurigaC. tinkeri
Common name
Taxonomy
Reef safe
Care Level
Description
Copperbanded Butterflyfish
Chelmon rostratus
Caution
Difficult
Silver with black edged gold stripes, a long nose, and a black eyespot on the dorsal fin. Max size 20 cm.
Sometimes referred to as the "Poor Man's Moorish Idol" because of the resemblance. White and black striped with yellow caudal fin and a dorsal fin that forms a long, thin banner. Max size 21 cm.
Longnose Butterflyfish
Forcipiger flavissimus
No
Moderate
From the pectoral fins forward, black above the eye and silver below, with an exceptionally mouth. Past the pectoral fins, bright yellow with an eyespot on the anal fin. Max size 22 cm.
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunula
No
Moderate
Very distinctive and complexly colored. Is mostly yellow with a darker saddle and a black and white mask. Max size 20 cm.
White with black stripes that form chevrons on the side and a bright red patch on the posterior. Max size 14 cm.
Merten's Butterflyfish
Chaetodon mertensii
No
Moderate
White with fuzzy black stripes and a yellow posterior. Also has a black line through the eye. Max size 12.5 cm.
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Chaetodon unimaculatus
No
Moderate
Completely yellow with the exception of black stripes at the base of the caudal fin and through the eye, and an eyespot directly below the dorsal fin. Max size 20 cm.
Latticed Butterflyfish
Chaetodon rafflesii
No
Moderate
Very similar to C. unimaculatus, but with scales that are brighter than the body, forming a lattice-like pattern, and lacking the eyespot. Max size 18 cm.
Pacific Double Saddle Butterflyfish
Chaetodon ulietensis
No
Moderate
Silver with two dark saddles over the body (plus a dark mask) and yellow dorsal and caudal fins. Max size 15 cm.
Sickle Butterflyfish
Chaetodon falcula
No
Moderate
Often confused with C. ulietensis, but easily distinguished. The saddles are wedge shaped rather than stripes and don't reach the underside. Overall more yellow coloring. Max size 20 cm.
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Chaetodon auriga
No
Moderate
White anterior with thin black stripes at 45 and 120 degree angles from the head. Posterior is yellow, but with a black wedge shape where the stripes meet the yellow coloring. Max size 23 cm.
Tinker's Butterflyfish
Chaetodon tinkeri
No
Moderate
White with small black spots, a yellow mask, and a black dorsal fin. Max size 15 cm.
Masked Butterflyfish
Chaetodon semilarvatus
No
Moderate
Bright lemon yellow with subtle vertical orange stripes and a black splotch behind the eye. Max size 23 cm.
One of the few groups of shoaling fish commonly available to marine aquarists, Cardinalfish are nocturnal and tend to be quite shy. They require meaty foods and will often not take prepared foods such as flakes and tablets. For the best chance of success, keep a wide variety of frozen foods on hand. In the event of a hunger strike, they will almost always take adult brine shrimp. As far as other care requirements they are similar to damsels: not picky. So long as they are properly acclimated, they tolerate a wide range of parameters. Watch the ammonia/nitrite, as they are particularly sensitive to these chemicals.
Black and silver striped with very tall fins and many white spots. Max size 8 cm.
Flamefish
Apogon maculatus
Yes
Moderate
Bright red with black spots at the base of the caudal fin, under the second dorsal fin, and on the operculum. Max size 11 cm.
Orange-Striped Cardinalfish
Apogon cyanosoma
Yes
Moderate
Light yellow with iridescent yellow horizontal stripes. Max size 8 cm.
Pajama Cardinalfish
Sphaeramia nematoptera
Yes
Moderate
This fish displays three distinct color bands: the first, stretching from the nose to base of the first dorsal fin, is a tannish peach. The second, a thin band which runs down the center of the fish, is chocolate brown, and the posterior of the fish is white with brown spots. Max size 8.5 cm.
Ringtailed Cardinalfish
Apogon aureus
Yes
Moderate
Yellow body with a black stripe (ring) at the base of the caudal fin and iridescent blue streaks across the eye. Max size 14.5 cm.
Blackstripe Cardinalfish
Apogon nigrofasciatus
Yes
Moderate
Body completely covered in horizontal yellow and black stripes, with red fins. Max size 10 cm.
Ochre-Striped Cardinalfish
Apogon compressus
Yes
Moderate
Almost identical to A. nigrofasticus, but with blue eyes. Max size 12 cm.
Chromis are perhaps the ultimate reef fish. Generally peaceful, most species are easy to take care of and quite colorful. Like anthias, they will school, but in many cases this tendency disappears as they age. They are, nevertheless, at least ambivalent with their own species, as well as completely reef safe. Like Damsels and Anemonefish, their close cousins, Chromis are omnivores and will accept most foods offered. A flake staple is usually sufficient, but for best color and health supplement with frozen and live foods when possible.
A pair of C. chromisSchool of C. viridis
Common name
Taxonomy
Reef safe
Care Level
Description
Black and Gold Chromis
Neoglyphidodon nigroris
Yes
Difficult
Mostly silver, but with a large patch of yellow around the caudal fin and a distinct black line on the operculum. Max size 13 cm.
Half and Half Chromis
Chromis iomelas
Yes
Moderate
Completely black from the middle of the dorsal fin to the nose, completely white from the middle of the dorsal fin to the end of the caudal fin. Max size 8 cm.
Black bar Chromis
Chromis retrofasciata
Yes
Moderate
Yellowish with bright blue iridescent pelvic fins and a distinct black bar at the base of the caudal fin. Max size 4 cm.
Blue Chromis
Chromis cyaneus
Yes
Moderate
Bright blue all over, although lighter toward the front. Max size 15 cm.
Clownfish, more technically known as Anemonefish, are the classic aquarium fish. Both hardy and attractive, they are perhaps best known for their symbiotic relationship with Sea Anemones, a relative of coral. In the wild, Anemonefish are always found with a host, leading many potential keepers to believe that an anemone is necessary to keep them. Anemonefish are easy to keep, but their cnidarian counterparts are inordinately finicky and need high light levels, and luckily Anemonefish will thrive without them. Aquarists often find that Anemonefish will host in other things, from corals and Feather Duster Worms to powerheads and other equipment.
Anemonefish care is identical to that of Damselfish, as they are actually very closely related.
Dark orange body becoming black towards the caudal fin, with a bright white stripe running from the front of the dorsal fin to the pectoral fins and golden colored fins.
Pink to orange body with one white stripe over the operculum and another running from the tip of the snout, along the back to the dorsal fin. All fins are white.
All Damselfish can be considered reef-safe, sometimes excluding larger, more aggressive Dascyllus varieties. Some Damselfish will host in anemones like clownfish. Most Damselfish are aggressive and difficult to catch once you put them in an aquarium.
Damselfish change gender as they grow larger and older. Small damselfish are ungendered. Eventually, they become males if no males prevent them from doing so. 1 or sometimes 2 males live with a female and guard over the eggs. Females are the largest fish and dominant over the males and juveniles. They will not allow other females into an area they have claimed as their territory without a fight. They may not allow new males or juveniles, either. Aggression increases with each change.
also known as the three spot damsel, this fish is easy to care for, but is also very aggressive. The fish is black except for three distinct white spots that fade as the fish ages.
The four stripe damsel is a perfect beginner marine fish as it is very hardy. This fish is highly territorial and is best suited for a semi-aggressive to aggressive tank.
The marginated damsel is noted for blue fins as well as the yellow head and white body. This fish is hardy like most damsels and is also highly aggressive when mature.
Moderate This damselfish is somewhat a little more delicate than other. It does best in small groups in large tanks with good water quality and an SG of 1.026. Feed on a good diet for best results. Fairly peaceful.
the two stripe damsel is a very hardy fish. This fish is perfect for the beginner marine aquarist, as it can tolerate substandard water quality. This fish is highly aggressive, and requires many hiding places.
The yellowtail damsel possess an all blue body with a striking yellow tail. This damsel is a good beginner fish as it is very hardy and can tolerate substandard water quality. This damsel is also less aggressive that some other damsel species.
Dragonets are often mis-categorized as gobies or blennies by fish sellers. They are bottom-dwelling fish that constantly hunt tiny invertebrates for food. Most starve to death in a marine aquarium unless you provide a refugium or place for the invertebrates to reproduce safely without any fish being able to reach them.
A brightly colored member of the dragonet family. Eats only copepods and will die in captivity without an adequate supply, which can only be had in very large, well established reef tanks
Attractive and relatively small, Hawkfish make excellent additions to fish only or FOWLR aquariums. With extreme caution taken, they could be kept in reef aquariums, but because of their propensity to eat small ornamental shrimps and other mobile invertabrates (usually leaving sessile invertabrates alone) they are not considered reef safe. Lacking a swim bladder, Hawkfish can often be found resting in crevices of rocks or among the branches of corals or gregonians. Hawkfish are easy to care for and not picky at all about water quality. A varied diet, including spirulina and small meaty foods like Mysis is recommended.
O. typus.C. aprinus.
Common name
Taxonomy
Reef safe
Care Level
Description
Max Size
Arc eye hawkfish
Paracirrhites arcatus
No
Moderate
Brown to yellow body with reddish dorsal fin, distinctive white caudal fin, and small semi-circle marking behind eye.
20 cm (7.9 in)
Flame hawkfish
Neocirrhites armatus
No
Easy to Moderate
Striking red body with black on fin tips and yellow lips.
9 cm (3.5 in)
Longnose hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus
No
Moderate
White with red lattice-like markings resembling a grid. Nose is elongated and tissue between the spines of the dorsal fin is missing.
resembles royal gramma in coloration. The bicolor pseudochromis is semi-aggressive and will defend its territory against fish several times its size. This fish is fairly hardy, and is a good beginner fish.
It takes a special aquarist to maintain these delicate beauties. A potential keeper must be dedicated and willing to throw artistic creativity to the winds- as what seahorses need isn't always beautiful. They require taller tanks, live/frozen food, and many hitching posts, as well as very peaceful tankmates. In fact, beginners would be well-advised not to mix seahorses with any other species until they have more experience.
Seahorses found in stores are generally Captive Bred, but occasionally one might find a Wild Caught specimen. WC Seahorses should only be purchased by Seahorse experts who are going to breed them, as they tend to be finicky and most are endangered in the wild. CB Seahorses.
One of the main upshots of Seahorses is that many species stay small and can (in fact, some should) be kept in smaller tanks, making them idea for aquarists who are pressed for space or money.
Seahorses are among the few popular marine aquarium species that can be temperate. Species vary in their temperature requirement, so here an extra category has been added. TR=Tropical ST=Sub-Tropical TM=Temperate
Tangs generally feed on algae, though there are a few carnivorous species. Most tangs will not tolerate other fish the same color and/or shape as them. They have a spine on their tails that can cut open other fish and unprotected hands. All tangs should be given plenty of swimming room and few tolerate a tank of less than 175 cm or 6 feet long.
The yellow tang requires ample swimming room and plenty of algae to graze on. The tang will not tolerate another of its kind unless there is ample space for each tang to have their own terriotry. The tang requires high oxygen levels.
