How related are they?
Same family, Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes and tangs): close cousins
They split at the genus level: the Yellow Tang belongs to Zebrasoma (Sailfin tangs), the Powder Blue Tang to Acanthurus (Acanthurus surgeonfishes).
Find the Yellow Tang on the tree · Find the Powder Blue Tang on the tree
Family lines, side by side
Highlighted rows are groups both animals belong to. The marked row is where their lines go separate ways.
| Rank | Yellow Tang | Powder Blue Tang |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia Animals | |
| Phylum | Chordata Chordates | |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata Vertebrates | |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata jawed vertebrates | |
| Parvphylum | Osteichthyes bony fishes | |
| Gigaclass | Actinopterygii ray-finned fishes | |
| Superclass | Actinopteri | |
| Class | Teleostei Teleost fishes | |
| Order | Acanthuriformes Surgeonfishes, angelfishes and kin | |
| Family | Acanthuridae Surgeonfishes and tangs | |
| Genus split | Zebrasoma Sailfin tangs | Acanthurus Acanthurus surgeonfishes |
| Species | Zebrasoma flavescens Yellow Tang | Acanthurus leucosternon Powder Blue Tang |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Yellow Tang | Powder Blue Tang |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fish · Tang | Fish · Tang |
| Care level | Moderate | Expert |
| Reef safe | Yes | Yes |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore |
| Favorite foods | Dried marine seaweed sheets (nori, red, green and brown algae) on a clip, Spirulina and algae-based pellets and flakes, Frozen herbivore formulas | Dried marine algae sheets (nori, red and green seaweed) on a clip, Frozen herbivore formulas, Spirulina and algae-based flakes and pellets |
| Max size | 8 in (20 cm) | 9 in (23 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 125 gal | 180 gal |
| Temperature | 72–78 °F | 72–78 °F |
| Salinity (SG) | 1.020–1.025 | 1.020–1.025 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 | 8.1–8.4 |
| Nitrate | 0–30 ppm | 0–30 ppm |
| Lifespan | Very long-lived for an aquarium fish: wild yellow tangs in Hawaii have been aged at up to 41 years from growth rings in their ear stones (otoliths). With good care, aquarium specimens can live well over a decade, but solid published data on captive lifespan are limited. | Poorly documented. Many wild-caught fish die within weeks of import from disease and shipping stress; fish that settle in commonly live about 7-10 years or more according to hobby care guides. No published age study for this species was found. |
| Breeding | Very hard | Not achieved |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Least Concern | Least Concern |