Black Tang

The Black Tang is one of the rarest and most sought-after surgeonfish in the marine aquarium hobby. Its entirely jet-black body provides a dramatic, velvety appearance that is virtually unique among commonly kept marine fish. The body shape is typical of the Zebrasoma genus, featuring a tall, disc-shaped profile and an elongated snout used for picking algae from crevices in the reef. This species shares its basic body plan with the popular Yellow Tang and Purple Tang but could not be more different in visual impact.

In the wild, the Black Tang is found only in a limited range across the Eastern Central Pacific, primarily around remote island groups including French Polynesia, the Pitcairn Islands, and the Line Islands. This extremely restricted distribution, combined with the logistical difficulty and expense of collecting from these remote locations, makes the Black Tang one of the most expensive fish routinely available in the aquarium trade. Specimens can command prices of several thousand dollars, placing it in the same exclusive tier as the Gem Tang.

Despite its exotic reputation and price tag, the Black Tang is not particularly difficult to keep for an experienced aquarist. It requires a minimum tank size of 125 gallons with ample live rock for grazing and moderate to strong water flow. Like other Zebrasoma species, it is an enthusiastic herbivore that will readily accept dried nori, Spirulina-based foods, and frozen herbivore preparations. It can be semi-aggressive toward other tangs but is generally peaceful toward dissimilar tankmates and is completely reef-safe.