Sailfin tang

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Sailfin tang
Pacific sailfin tang (Zebrasoma velifer) Moorea.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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 marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the Pacific Ocean and is popular in the aquarium hobby.

Contents

Taxonomy

The sailfin tang was first formally described as Acanthurus velifer in 1795 by the German naturalist Marcus Elieser Bloch with its type locality given as Tranquebar in Bloch and Schneider 1801. [3] When William John Swainson proposed the new genus Zebrasoma in 1839 he classified Bloch's Acanthurus velifer as the only species in the genus, it is therefore the type species of Zebrasoma by monotypy. [4] The sailfin tang and the Indian sailfin tang * Z, desjardinii are closely related, and have been regarded as conspecific in the past, [5] and form a 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

The sailfin tang has its dorsal fin supported by 4 or 5 spines and between 29 and 33 soft rays while its anal fin is supported by 3 spins and 23 to 26 soft rays. [2] It has a disc shaped body with very high dorsal and anal fins and when its fins are fully extended, the total height of the fish is almost equal to its length. It also has the elongated snout typical of Zebrasoma. [9] This is a brownish coloured fish marked with wide greyish brown bars separated by narrower yellow bars. The dorsal and anal fins are dark greyish to brown marked with paler bands. The caudal fin varies in colour from greyish brown to yellow. [10] The white head is covered with yellow spots and there is a dark band running though the eye with the a second slightly paler band immediately to the rear of the eye. The bands on the head are also marked with yellow dots and lines. [9] Juvenile specimens look similar to the adult fish, but with more yellow colouring. [11] This species has a maximum published 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 Christmas Island, in the eastern Indian Ocean, and the eastern coast of Indo-China and it extends eastwards into the Pacific as far as the Pitcairn Islands and Hawaii, north to Japan and south to Australia and Rapa Iti. It is absent from the Marquesas Islands. [1] In Australia this species is found at Rottnest Island to the Montebello ISlands and around offshore reefs in Western Australia; Ashmore reef in the Timor Sea, the northern Great Barrier Reef south to Moreton Bay in Queensland, although juveniles reach Sydney. They are also found off Middleton Reef, Elizabeth Reef and Lord Howe Island. [10] The sailfin tang is 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 Guam fishers use spears and fish traps. As it is larger than the sympatric congeners the yellow tang (Z. flavescens) and the twotone tang (Z. scopas), it is of greater value as a food fish. It is also traded in the aquarium trade. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acanthuridae</span> Family of fishes with caudal spines

Acanthuridae are a family of ray-finned fish which includes surgeonfishes, tangs, and unicornfishes. The family includes about 86 extant species of marine fish living in tropical seas, usually around coral reefs. Many of the species are brightly colored and popular in aquaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow tang</span> Species of fish

The yellow tang, also known as the lemon sailfin, yellow sailfin tang or somber surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. It is one of the most popular marine aquarium fish. It is bright yellow in color, and it lives in reefs. The yellow tang spawn around a full moon. The yellow tang eats algae. The yellow tang has a white barb, located just before the tail fin, to protect itself.

<i>Zebrasoma</i> Genus of fishes

Zebrasoma is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. These fishes are found in the Indo-Pacific region.

<i>Acanthurus</i> Genus of fishes

Acanthurus is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs, found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. They are found in tropical oceans, especially near coral reefs, with most species in the Indo-Pacific but a few are found in the Atlantic Ocean. As other members of the family, they have a pair of spines, one on either side of the base of the tail which are dangerously sharp.

<i>Zebrasoma desjardinii</i> Species of fish

Zebrasoma desjardinii, the Red Sea sailfin tang, Desjardin's sailfin tang, Indian sailfin tang or Indian sailfin surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the Indian Ocean.

<i>Acanthurus mata</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus mata, the pale surgeonfish, blue-lined surgeonfish, mata surgeonfish, striped surgeonfish, tailring surgeon, white-tail lancet or yellowmask surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

<i>Zebrasoma gemmatum</i> Species of fish

Zebrasoma gemmatum, the gem tang, jewelled tang, spotted tang or Mauritian tang, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Western Indian Ocean. The spotted tang is a highly prized specimen by marine aquarists and often commands high prices.

<i>Zebrasoma rostratum</i> Species of fish

Zebrasoma rostratum, the longnose surgeonfish, longnose tang or black tang, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the western central Pacific Ocean.

<i>Acanthurus olivaceus</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus olivaceus, the orange-band surgeonfish, the orange-shoulder surgeonfish or the orangebar tang, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, this family includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. It lives in the tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific.

<i>Zebrasoma scopas</i> Species of fish

Zebrasoma scopas, the brown tang, twotone tang, scopas tang or brush-tail tang, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. The brown tang is found throughout Oceania and is a herbivorous fish, feeding predominantly on filamentous algae. It is a highly popular fish in the aquarium trade.

<i>Zebrasoma xanthurum</i> Species of fish

Zebrasoma xanthurum, the purple tang or yellowtail tang, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is endemic to the north western Indian Ocean.

<i>Acanthurus japonicus</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus japonicus, the Japan surgeonfish, white-faced surgeonfish, gold rim tang, powder brown tang and white-nose surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes or tangs. This fish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Acanthurus maculiceps</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus maculiceps, the white-freckled surgeonfish, yellow-freckled surgeonfish, pale-lined surgeonfish,spotted-faced surgeonfish or earbar surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Indo-West Pacific region.

<i>Acanthurus albipectoralis</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus albipectoralis, the whitefin surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Acanthurus blochii</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus blochii, the ringtail surgeonfish or dark surgeonfish, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the Indo-Pacific.

<i>Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus</i> Species of fish

Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus, the bluelip bristletooth, yelloweye bristletooth, goldring bristletooth, Indo-Pacific yellow tang or short-tail bristle-tooth, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Acanthurus bariene</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus bariene, the bariene surgeonfish, black-spot surgeonfish, or eye-spot surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Indo-Pacific.

<i>Acanthurus fowleri</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus fowleri, Fowler's surgeonfish or the horseshoe surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes or tangs. This fish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Acanthurus grammoptilus</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus grammoptilus the finelined surgeonfish, inshore surgeonfish, Northwest surgeonfish or ring-tailed surgeonfis, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Acanthurus nubilus</i> Species of fish

Acanthurus nubilus, the bluelined surgeon, pin-striped surgeon, dark surgeonfish or dropoff surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Abesamis, R.; Choat, J.H.; McIlwain, J.; et al. (2012). "Zebrasoma veliferum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012: e.T178010A1520055. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T178010A1520055.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Zebrasoma velifer". FishBase . June 2023 version.
  3. 1 2 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. ↑ Radu C. Guiasu and Richard Winterbottom (1993). "Osteological Evidence for the Phylogeny of Recent Genera of Surgeonfishes (Percomorpha, Acanthuridae)". Copeia. 1993 (2): 300–312. doi:10.2307/1447130. JSTOR   1447130.
  7. ↑ J. S. Nelson; T. C. Grande; M. V. H. Wilson (2016). Fishes of the World (5th ed.). Wiley. pp. 497–502. 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. 1 2 "Sailfin Tang". Animal World. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  10. 1 2 Bray, D.J. (2019). "Zebrasoma veliferum". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Community, Aquatic. "Appearance".


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