Sohal Tang

The Sohal Tang is a strikingly beautiful and extraordinarily territorial surgeonfish endemic to the Red Sea and surrounding waters of the Arabian Peninsula. Adults display bold horizontal stripes of metallic blue-silver and deep black across the body, with vivid orange highlights along the pectoral fins and at the base of the tail where the razor-sharp caudal spine is located. The overall effect is one of commanding elegance, and few marine fish can match the Sohal Tang for sheer visual impact combined with unmistakable presence.

In the wild, Sohal Tangs are the undisputed rulers of shallow Red Sea reef crests, where they aggressively defend prime algae-grazing territories against all comers, including fish many times their size. They are found exclusively in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Aden, making them a regional endemic with a relatively limited natural distribution. Their extreme territorial nature is deeply ingrained and translates directly to the aquarium, where they are widely regarded as the single most aggressive tang species commonly available to hobbyists.

The Sohal Tang is recommended only for advanced aquarists with very large systems of 250 gallons or more. Its combination of impressive adult size (up to 16 inches), extreme aggression, and demanding space requirements make it unsuitable for all but the most spacious home aquariums. It must be the last fish added to the tank and is best kept as the sole tang. Despite its aggression toward fish, the Sohal Tang is completely reef-safe and is an impressive, powerful herbivore that keeps rockwork immaculately clean. For aquarists with the right setup, a Sohal Tang is an awe-inspiring centerpiece fish with an unmatchable combination of beauty and personality.