Desjardini Sailfin Tang
The Indian Ocean sailfin, Zebrasoma desjardinii, raises a huge disc-shaped dorsal and anal fin patterned in vertical bars over spot-flecked flanks — a premium display herbivore that tops out near 40 cm. It grazes film and hair algae all day and is fully reef-safe, but needs a long tank with open swimming room and gets territorial toward similar-shaped tangs. Feed heavily on nori and marine algae to keep colours and fins in top condition. A tight-fitting lid is essential.
Tankmates
How Desjardini Sailfin Tang gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.
Best kept apart
A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.
Keep an eye on these
Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.
Good tankmates
No conflicts — a few popular ones to start with.
