Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes), subfamily: Acanthurinae
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name: Sailfin tang
Max. size: 40.0 cm


Environment: reef-associated; marine
Climate: tropical; 24 – 28°C; 29°N - 25°S, 33°e - 140°w
Importance: fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family


Gazetteer Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique. Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Rapa Island. Replaced by the similar Zebrasoma desjardinii in the Indian Ocean.


Biology:
Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to a depth of at least 30 m. Solitary juveniles found among rocks or coral f shallow protected, sometimes turbid reefs. Feeds on leafy macroalgae. It possesses, fewer and larger pharyngeal teeth, compared to the other Zebrasoma spp. The species is never poisonous.


Info from www.fishbase.org