Yellow tangs are hard to miss on the reef with their sunny shade. In our top ten yellow tang facts, we'll uncover their secrets, from their algae-eating habits to their impressive survival skills and show that these fish are much more than just a splash of colour…
1. The reef cleaning crew
Yellow tangs don't just swim around looking pretty, they also work hard to keep the reef tidy. These fish love to munch on algae (more about that later), which helps to prevent it from smothering corals. Without them, the reef could become completely covered, leading to coral decline and making life harder for the other reef residents.
2. Warm water lovers
Yellow tangs are native to the warm, clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. They're most commonly found around Hawaii, where they thrive in shallow reefs and lagoons. While they do pop up in other parts of the Pacific, their range isn't as widespread as some might think. We can't blame them; we wouldn't want to leave Hawaii either.
3. They have a secret weapon
Yellow tangs have a sharp, white spine on either side of their tail. This little bade, known as a scalpel, is used for self-defence and to keeps rivals in check. If another fish gets too close, a quick flick of the tail sends a clear message to them to back off.
4. They travel in schools
Safety in numbers is the yellow tang's motto. Sticking together helps them avoid predators and makes it easier for them to defend their territory. You'll often see them in groups as they glide over the reef together in search of food. But that being said, they can get a little feisty with one another, especially if there's a disagreement over algae.
5. Colour changing
Our favourite yellow tang fact is about their cool colour-changing abilities. During the day, they're a brilliant bright yellow, but when the sun goes down, their colour fades slightly and a white stripe appears along their side. This helps them to blend into the reef at night and avoid predators lurking in the dark. Smart.
6. Speedy swimmers
They might look delicate, but yellow tangs are built for speed. Their streamlined bodies and strong tails allow them to dart through the water. If predators come too close, they can make a speedy getaway, disappearing into the coral in a flash.
7. A sweet tooth for seaweed
As you might have already worked out, yellow tangs have a bit of an algae obsession. This is their main dish of choice, but these herbivores also have a particular fondness for certain types of seaweed. They'll graze all day, picking at the reef and helping to keep the ecosystem in balance, and even eat algae and seaweed off the shells of turtles and shellfish. This symbiotic relationship is a win-win: the turtle or shellfish gets a clean shell, and the yellow tang gets a full belly.
8. Tiny drifters
Young yellow tangs know how to go with the flow. For around two months after hatching, they drift with the ocean currents, searching for a reef to call home and avoiding hungry predators along the way.
9. They’re not born yellow
It's hard to imagine a yellow tang being anything other than, well, yellow. But when they first hatch, they're completely transparent. It's only as they grow that they develop their distinctive citrussy shade, and by the time they settle on a reef, they're sporting their signature hue proudly.
10. Surprisingly long lives
Our final yellow tang fact is about their surprisingly long lives. Living up to 30 years, yellow tangs have an impressive lifespan for a fish of their size. However, because of predators, competition and the challenges of reef life, many don't see their third decade.
If you enjoyed this blog, you may also enjoy Our Top Ten Pufferfish Facts, Our Top Ten Green Sea Turtle Facts or Our Top Ten Hammerhead Shark Facts.
