Zebrasoma velifer (Pacific sailfin tang)
Adult: The pacific sailfin tang has a dark body with alternating white, grey and brown, vertical bands and spots on the nose and part of its face. The tail is white/yellow to brown without spots. The dorsal fin is very large and rounded. The dorsal and anal fin are dark with white to blue line markings. They love solitary or in groups.
Juveniles: Juveniles are yellow with alternating dark and light vertical bands, and even greater enhanced dorsal and anal fins.
Stated as Least Concern according to the IUCN Red list. The species is widespread in the Pacific region and locally common in most parts of its range, however occurs in low densities. It is harvested for the aquarium trade, but is not a major component. There are no major threats known and it occurs in a number of marine protected areas in parts of its distribution. It is therefore listed Least Concern.
Pacific Ocean. Indonesia to the Hawaiian islands, from Northern Japan to the southern Australia, New Caledonia, and Rapa Island. Replaced by the similar Zebrasoma desjardinii in the Indian Ocean. Adults live on lagoons and outer reefs, juveniles tend to stay more amongst coral and rocks of shallow, protected reeds, in a depth range of 1-45 meters.
Reproduction through spawning.
Up to 4ocm.
They feed on algae.
The species looks very similar to the related Indian sailfin tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii), which has replaced Z. velifer in the Indian Ocean. The key to keeping them apart are the spots on the tail of Z. desjardinii. Zebrasoma velifer has been renamed in 2012 from Z. veliferum to Z. velifer, which you will often see in books.
