Zebrasoma desjardinii (sailfin tang) Marine Fishes Exotic
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Common name: sailfin tang
Synonyms and Other Names: Desjardin's sailfin tang
Taxonomy: available through
www.itis.gov
Identification: Highly variable in color and banding patterns. Strongly marked with colors ranging from bright yellow to black. Large dorsal and anal fins with pale yellow lines. Caudal fin dark with blue spots. Dorsal fin VI (28-33), anal fin III (22-26). From Allen et al. (2003). Similar species: No Atlantic surgeonfish has white spots on the face or the very tall dorsal fin of the Zebrasoma species.
Native Range: The species is distributed in the Indian Ocean from the Red Sea and East Africa to Andaman Sea and north Sumatra, Indonesia (Allen et al. 2003).
Nonindigenous Occurrences:
In Florida, this species was seen at a commercial pier in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in 1999 (Semmens 2004).
Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Zebrasoma desjardinii are found here.
Table last updated 12/10/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology: The species is typically found in lagoonal areas and exposed reefs up to 30 m (Allen et al. 2003). Juveniles are prevalent in the inner reef zone. Adults can be found in pairs, but juveniles are typically solitary (Lieske and Myers 1994). The species is known to be territorial and frequently exhibits agonistic behaviors (Alwany et al. 2005). Zebrasoma desjardinii are herbivores, feeding mainly on algae, but have also been observed consuming jellyfish (Rajasuriya 2013; Bos et al. 2017).
Means of Introduction: Probable aquarium release.
Status: Reported from Florida.
Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.
References: (click for full references)
Allen, G., R. Steene, P. Humann and N. Deloach. 2003. Reef Fish Identification. Tropical Pacific. New World Publications, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida and Odyssey Publications, El Cajon, California.
Alwany, M., E. Thaler, and M. Stachowitsch. 2005. Territorial behaviour of Acanthurus sohal and Plectroglyphidodon leucozona on the fringing Egyptian Red Sea reefs. Environmental Biology of Fishes 72: 321-334.
Bos, A.R., E. Cruz-Rivera and A.M. Sanad. 2017. Herbivorous fishes Siganus rivulatus (Siganidae) and Zebrasoma desjardinii (Acanthuridae) feed on Ctenophora and Scyphozoa in the Red Sea. Marine Biodiversity 47(1):243-246.
Lieske, E., and R. Myers. 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Haper Collins Publishers.
Rajasuriya, A. 2013. Field Guide to the Reef Fishes of Sri Lanka. Colombo: IUCN Sri Lanka Office, 104 pp.
Semmens, B.X., E.R. Buhle, A.K. Salomon, and C.V. Pattengill-Semmens. 2004. A hotspot of non-native marine fishes: Evidence for the aquarium trade as an invasion pathway. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 266: 239-244.
Other Resources:
FishBase Summary
Author:
James A. Morris, Jr., and Pamela J. Schofield
Revision Date: 3/18/2021
Peer Review Date: 6/15/2009
Citation Information:
James A. Morris, Jr., and Pamela J. Schofield, 2024, Zebrasoma desjardinii (Bennett, 1836): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2299, Revision Date: 3/18/2021, Peer Review Date: 6/15/2009, Access Date: 12/10/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.