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Purple Tang

Purple Tang

Zebrasoma xanthurum

The Purple Tang is a show-stopping surgeonfish from the Red Sea, cloaked in deep violet-blue with a contrasting bright yellow tail. Like all tangs, it is an active herbivore that needs a large aquarium (125+ gallons) with ample swimming space and regular offerings of marine algae and seaweed. Can be aggressive toward other tangs, best kept as the sole surgeonfish unless the tank is very large.

TemperamentAggressive
Max Size10"
Care LevelModerate
CategoryTang

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Compatibility Chart for Purple Tang

See how Purple Tang gets along with every other species in our database.

Compatible (81)

Blue Hippo Tang Compatible Different genera; usually compatible Naso Tang Compatible Different body shape reduces conflict Ocellaris Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species True Percula Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Maroon Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Clarkii Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Flame Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Coral Beauty Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Emperor Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species French Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Six Line Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Fairy Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Melanurus Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Cleaner Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Yellowspotted Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Clown Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Firefish Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Yellow Watchman Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Mandarin Dragonet Compatible No known issues between these species Blue Devil Damselfish Compatible No known issues between these species Green Chromis Compatible No known issues between these species Yellowtail Damselfish Compatible No known issues between these species Copperband Butterflyfish Compatible No known issues between these species Raccoon Butterflyfish Compatible No known issues between these species Longnose Butterflyfish Compatible No known issues between these species Flame Hawkfish Compatible No known issues between these species Longnose Hawkfish Compatible No known issues between these species Midas Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Tailspot Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Bicolor Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Royal Gramma Compatible No known issues between these species Banggai Cardinalfish Compatible No known issues between these species Pajama Cardinalfish Compatible No known issues between these species Brownbanded Bamboo Shark Compatible No known issues between these species Epaulette Shark Compatible No known issues between these species Horn Shark Compatible No known issues between these species Coral Catshark Compatible No known issues between these species Magnificent Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species One Spot Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species Masked Rabbitfish Compatible No known issues between these species Picasso Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Clown Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Niger Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Bluechin Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Undulate Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Pinktail Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Magnificent Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Long Tentacle Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Carpet Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Sebae Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Chicago Sunburst BTA Compatible No known issues between these species Rose Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Colorado Sunburst BTA Compatible No known issues between these species Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Fire Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Peppermint Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Tiger Pistol Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Sexy Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Emerald Crab Compatible No known issues between these species Blue Leg Hermit Crab Compatible No known issues between these species Turbo Snail Compatible No known issues between these species Nassarius Snail Compatible No known issues between these species Tuxedo Urchin Compatible No known issues between these species Red Fromia Starfish Compatible No known issues between these species Hammer Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Torch Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Frogspawn Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Zoanthids Compatible No known issues between these species Mushroom Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Rhodactis Mushroom Compatible No known issues between these species Ricordea Florida Compatible No known issues between these species Ricordea Yuma Compatible No known issues between these species Bounce Mushroom Compatible No known issues between these species Green Star Polyps Compatible No known issues between these species Pulsing Xenia Compatible No known issues between these species Acropora Compatible No known issues between these species Montipora Compatible No known issues between these species Leather Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Duncan Coral Compatible No known issues between these species

Somewhat Compatible (5)

Kole Tang Somewhat Compatible Purple tang may bully smaller Kole Lawnmower Blenny Somewhat Compatible Both heavy algae grazers; may compete Convict Tang Somewhat Compatible Purple may bully peaceful convict Tomini Tang Somewhat Compatible Purple tang may bully smaller tomini Foxface Rabbitfish Somewhat Compatible Purple tang may see foxface as competitor

Risky (1)

Yellow Tang Risky Same genus Zebrasoma - high aggression

Not Compatible (5)

Powder Blue Tang Not Compatible Extremely aggressive combo - will fight Scopas Tang Not Compatible Same genus Zebrasoma - will fight Achilles Tang Not Compatible Both highly aggressive - will fight constantly Clown Tang Not Compatible Will fight relentlessly Sohal Tang Not Compatible Sohal will destroy purple tang

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