Sailfin tang

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Sailfin tang

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Zebrasoma
Species:
Z. velifer
Binomial name
Zebrasoma velifer
(Bloch, 1795)
Synonyms[2]
  • Acanthurus velifer Bloch, 1795

The sailfin tang (Zebrasoma velifer), the Pacific sailfin tang, purple sailfinned tang or sailfin surgeonfish, is a

aquarium
hobby.

Taxonomy

The sailfin tang was first formally

species pair which is basal to the genus Zebrasoma.[6] The genera Zebrasoma and Paracanthurus make up the tribe Zebrasomini within the subfamily Acanthurinae in the family Acanthuridae, according to the 5th edition of Fishes of the World.[7]

Etymology

Zebrasoma velifer has the specific name velifer, which is a combination of velo, meaning "sail", and fero, meaning "to bear", a reference to the high dorsal fin.[8] Many authors give the name as veliferum but it is a noun in apposition so velifer is correct.[3]

Description

Stamp of Kazakhstan

The sailfin tang has its dorsal fin supported by 4 or 5 spines and between 29 and 33 soft rays while its

standard length of 40 cm (16 in).[2]

Distribution and habitat

The sailfin tang is found in the Pacific Ocean. The westernmost occurrence is around

benthopelagic and is found at depths down to 45 m (148 ft) on lagoon and seaward reefs. The juveniles are solitary and occur on coral and rocky sheltered reefs, although they may sometimes be found in turbid areas.[2]

Biology

The sailfin tang is typically solitary, although they may be found in pairs.[1] They graze on leafy algae. When compared to the less basal Zebrasoma species they have less well developed pharyngeal teeth. They are diurnal and courtship and spawning take place in the early afternoon following an ebbing tide.[2]

Utilisation

The sailfin tang is caught as a food fish, in

twotone tang (Z. scopas), it is of greater value as a food fish. It is also traded in the aquarium trade.[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T178010A1520055.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2023). "Zebrasoma velifer" in FishBase. June 2023 version.
  3. ^ a b Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Zebrasoma". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  4. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Acanthuridae". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Species Zebrasoma desjardinii (Bennett, 1836) Indian Sailfin Tang". Australian Faunal Directory. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  6. doi:10.2307/1447130
    .
  7. ISBN 978-1-118-34233-6
    .
  8. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara, eds. (12 January 2021). "Order ACANTHURIFORMES (part 2): Families EPHIPPIDAE, LEIOGNATHIDAE, SCATOPHAGIDAE, ANTIGONIIDAE, SIGANIDAE, CAPROIDAE, LUVARIDAE, ZANCLIDAE and ACANTHURIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Sailfin Tang". Animal World. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  10. ^ a b Bray, D.J. (2019). "Zebrasoma veliferum". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  11. ^ Community, Aquatic. "Appearance".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zebrasoma velifer.


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