A True Gem of a Fish
The Gem Tang (Zebrasoma gemmatum) is one of the most iconic members of the well loved family Acanthuridae also know as “Tangs”. They have the distinct Zebrasoma shape, almost round with an elongated snout as seen in other members such as yellow tangs, scopas tangs, black tangs & purple tangs! The Gem Tang can reach a maximum size of about eight inches over its life span, and is truly a stunning fish with its black body with white spots, and yellow caudal (tail) fin.
Gem Tangs come from the Western Indian Ocean, from Northern South Africa to Southern Somalia, Madagascar and the islands of the Western Pacific. They are solitary, reef associated fish, with adults living in rocky or coral areas of higher flow and juveniles found in shallower, calmer water.
The minimum aquarium size for a Gem Tang long term would be a 120 gallon aquarium measuring four feet long and two feet wide. Larger aquariums as always are fully utilized by tangs and well help keep them in good health while also dissipating any aggression that might be associated with their territoriality. While generally peaceful, all tangs are armed with caudal peduncle (the part of the fish that leads to the tail fin) spines, they reserve most of their aggression for other tangs, with aggression worsening the closer the fish resembles a Gem Tang. This means that other tangs from the Zebrasoma genus such as Yellow tangs, might be more prone to aggression than say a Sohal tang from the genus Acanthurus, or a Chevron tang from the genus Ctenochaetus. Other than that, they are a reef safe fish that should be kept in an environment that offers them lots of swimming space and strong flow for exercise.
In the wild Gem tangs spend most of their day grazing on different types of algae and the small creatures that live within it. As such, different algaes should be offered to the tang on a daily basis for them to graze on, and small meaty foods such as mysis or brine shrimp should be offered and will be accepted as well. In general, Gem Tangs will not be difficult to feed, but they will eat a lot due to the fact that they are a grazer. Offer some algae in the morning, and feed the rest of your aquarium they way you normally do and the Gem tang will be sure to partake.
Gem tangs have not been bred commercially, but yellow tangs from the same genus (Zebrasoma) have. It is likely possible, but they are pelagic spawners who’s fertilized eggs drift with the currents of the ocean as larvae for an extended period of time. Harvesting these eggs and larvae before your aquariums filtration did, would be the first step in rearing them, paired with culturing a variety of phyto and zooplankton offerings for the almost microscopic fish until they settled out into miniature versions of the adults. A very large aquarium would be needed to house multiple gem tangs, making this likely an effort best suited to public aquaria or large scale breeding operations.
Gem tangs are one of, if not the, most iconic member of the tang group in aquaria. They are hardy, personable, and add a gorgeous, stark contrast to any brightly colored reef aquarium! Contact your local fish store today and ask them for sustainably harvested Gem tangs from Quality Marine today!