Wide reef fish with a tall fan-shaped fin and thin stripes across the body

Sailfin tang

Zebrasoma velifer
Where at Shedd?
Wild Reef
Diet Small bits of algae
Size Up to 16 inches (40 cm)
Type Fishes
Range Indian and West-Central Pacific Oceans
Habitat Lagoons and seaward reefs

Did you know?

  1. This tang has extra teeth — and they’re in its throat. These teeth help to crush up any rock or coral the sailfin tang might grab when picking at algae.

  2. The fish excretes rock as a fine sand.


IUCN Red List Conservation Status