Pacific Sailfin Tang

Scientific Name: Zebrasoma veliferum
Family: Surgeonfishes – Acanthuridae
Maximum Size: 40cm
Identification: White bars alternate with gray to brown bars, tail white to yellowish to brown without spots; greatly enlarged dorsal and anal fins are dark gray to brown with pale bands.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups.
Hide-out: Lagoons and outer reefs to 45m.
Location: Pacific – Indonesia, Micronesia, Hawaii to French Polynesia. S.W. Japan to Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

Longnose Tang

Scientific Name: Zebrasoma rostratum
Family: Surgeonfishes – Acanthuridae
Maximum Size: 21cm
Identification: Dark brown to nearly black, white tail spine; protruding snout.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups; feed on filamentous algae.
Hide-out: Lagoons and seaward reefs in 3-20m.
Location: East Central Pacific – Phoenix and Line Is. to French Polynesia and east to Pitcaim Is.

Brushtail Tang

Scientific Name: Zebrasoma scopas
Family: Surgeonfishes – Acanthuridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: Yellowish brown gradating to nearly black on the tail; dark brush-like patch of bristles in front of white tail spine; tiny pale blue dots or lines on head and body.
Favourite: Solitary or form groups.
Hide-out: Lagoons and outer reefs to 50m.
Location: Indo-Pacific – E. Africa to Indonesia, Philippines and French Polynesia. S.W. Japan to Great Barrier Reef and Lord Howe I.

Achilles Tang

Scientific Name: Acanthurus achilles
Family: Surgeonfishes – Acanthuridae
Maximum Size: 20cm
Identification: Dark to navy blue; large orange teardrop on rear body, white edge on gill cover, and white band at base of dorsal and anal fins, middle of tail orange.
Favourite: Solitary; territorial and aggressive.
Hide-out: Surge zone to 4m.
Location: Central Pacific – W. Caroline Is. in Micronesia, New Caledonia and Hawaii to Pitcaim Is. east of French Polynesia.