Yellow Tang
(Zebrasoma flavescens)
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Animal Type
Fish
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Exhibits
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Range
Pacific Ocean
Overview
The reef-dwelling yellow tang is known for its bright yellow body. It is a popular aquarium fish and is exported from Hawaii in great numbers for this purpose. It spawns primarily during the full moon. Although males can become territorial, the yellow tang is sometimes known to live in small groups.
These vibrant fish look very similar to juvenile blue tangs, but blue tangs turn blue and grow quite a bit larger, whereas yellow tangs retain their bright yellow color and stay fairly small.
A Note from the Caretaker
These fish are lawnmowers! Any thread of algae in their path is quickly eaten and they spend large portions of their day picking at the rocks.
Quick Facts
Did you know, this reef-dwelling fish is known—and named—for its bright yellow coloring?
This fish is found in the tropical reefs of the Pacific Ocean around the Hawaiian Islands and in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.
The yellow tang primarily feeds on algae.
The yellow tang typically grows to be about 7 inches long.
This species is not threatened.
Larger fish, sharks
Explore Exhibit Residents
Learn more about the animals that share an exhibit with this one.
Anemones (Actiniaria)
Sea anemones are named after and resemble flowers.
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Atlantic puffins have a distinctive large, triangular red-orange bill with a blue-gray base and yellow ridge.
Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
These fish hide among the spines of sea urchins for protection.
Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci)
The horn shark gets its name from the short venomous "horn" in front of each of its dorsal fins.
Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula)
Learn about percula clownfish, including their habitat, diet, range and population status, and where you can find them at the National Aquarium.