Purple Tang (Captive Bred)

Also known as the Yellowtail Sailfin Tang or Purple Sailfin Surgeonfish. The Captive Bred Purple Tang carries the same vivid violet coloration, electric blue facial spotting and striking yellow tail as its wild counterpart, but with improved adaptability and calmer dispositions thanks to tank-raised conditioning. Captive bred individuals are hardier, feed more readily and transition into reef aquariums with significantly less stress, making them ideal for both intermediate and advanced hobbyists seeking a resilient showpiece fish. Their active grazing and strong disease resistance further enhance long-term success in well-maintained marine systems.

Key Features

Scientific Name: Zebrasoma xanthurum
Common Names: Purple Tang, Yellowtail Sailfin Tang, Purple Sailfin Surgeonfish
Adult Size: 8 to 10 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years or more
Temperament: Semi aggressive, calmer in captive bred form
Reef Compatibility: Completely reef safe
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons minimum, 150 gallons recommended
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Habitat and Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat

Found primarily in the Red Sea, frequenting coral slopes, rocky reefs and algae-rich surfaces. Captive bred variants are raised in controlled environments that promote feeding stability and social adaptability.

Tank Environment

• Open swimming space with strong flow
  ● Large amounts of rockwork for grazing routes
  ● Mature aquariums with consistent parameters
  ● High oxygenation for active swimming

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 74 to 82°F
  ● Salinity: 1.023 to 1.025
  ● pH: 8.1 to 8.4
  ● Ammonia and Nitrite: 0 ppm
  ● Nitrate: under 20 ppm
  ● Alkalinity: 8 to 12 dKH

Essential Equipment

• Oversized protein skimmer
  ● UV sterilizer recommended
  ● Strong mechanical and biological filtration
  ● Weekly 10 to 15 percent water changes

Diet and Feeding

Purple Tang (Captive Bred) remains an herbivore-first grazer with strong feeding responses due to early life conditioning.

Recommended Foods

• Nori and seaweed sheets
  ● Spirulina pellets
  ● Algae flakes and herbivore blends
  ● Frozen herbivore preparations
  ● Enriched spirulina sheets

Feeding Schedule

• Feed 2 to 3 times daily
  ● Provide nori daily
  ● Rotate foods to support immunity and coloration

Behavior and Compatibility

Temperament

Semi aggressive, especially toward other Zebrasoma tangs, though captive bred individuals tend to be more tolerant and less territorial. Peaceful toward most reef-safe fish.

Tank Mates

• Wrasses, gobies, chromis, anthias
  ● Peaceful tangs only in large aquariums
  ● Avoid aggressive surgeonfish
  ● Avoid predators

Pairing Behavior

Best kept singly unless housed in very large tanks.

Reef Compatibility

Completely reef safe and will not damage corals or invertebrates. Provides natural algae control through constant grazing.

Acclimation and Care Tips

Initial Acclimation

• Drip acclimate 45 to 60 minutes
  ● Float bag 15 to 20 minutes
  ● Reduce lighting during introduction

Health Considerations

• Captive bred specimens show stronger resistance to ich and velvet
  ● Still recommended to quarantine when possible
  ● Monitor for grazing activity and fin condition

Signs of a Healthy Specimen

• Deep purple and vibrant yellow coloration
  ● Clear eyes
  ● Consistent grazing
  ● Smooth, clean fins

Color and Development

Coloration Characteristics

• Body: Deep purple to violet with fine blue spotting
  ● Tail: Bright yellow
  ● Fins: Purple with blue edging
  ● Markings: Subtle speckling across the face

Color Intensity

• Algae-rich diets deepen purple tones
  ● Strong lighting highlights blue speckles
  ● Stress or malnutrition may reduce vibrancy

Size and Growth

• Juveniles start at 2 to 3 inches
  ● Adults reach 8 to 10 inches
  ● Captive bred individuals grow steadily with proper feeding

Special Considerations

Quarantine Recommended

Helps ensure smooth transition and confirms strong feeding responses.

Captive Bred Notes

Captive bred Purple Tangs adapt quickly, show fewer territorial behaviors and have improved survival rates in reef systems.

Breeding Potential

Captive breeding in large-scale facilities is possible but extremely rare in home aquariums. They require spacious open-water spawning conditions that are difficult to recreate in standard reef tanks.

Why Choose a Quarantined Captive Bred Purple Tang

A quarantined Captive Bred Purple Tang combines the resilience of captive upbringing with the safety and reliability of Dr Reef’s thorough quarantine process. With its bold coloration, improved temperament and excellent algae-grazing behavior, it becomes a dependable and stunning centerpiece for any large reef setup.