Gem tang

Zebrasoma gemmatum, the gem tang, is a surgeonfish in the family Acanthuridae, native to reefs of the western Indian Ocean around southern Africa, Madagascar, and Mauritius. It is a strikingly beautiful, disc-shaped tang, deep black and covered in fine pale blue-white spots, with yellow accents on the pectoral fins and tail base. It is a moderately aggressive tang, territorial toward other surgeonfish, and carries a sharp scalpel at the tail base for defense. It is best kept as the only tang in most systems. It requires a large aquarium with plenty of live rock for grazing and swimming space, and pristine, well-oxygenated water. Primarily herbivorous, it should be offered dried marine algae, nori, and vegetable foods, supplemented with occasional meaty items to maintain condition. It is a rare, sought-after, and expensive species that demands stable, mature reef conditions.