Varing in size from 1/4" to 8", bright yellow fins and body are thetrademarks of the yellow tang. Small, tightly packed scales on the bodygive the fish a velvetly appearance. The sharp spines near the tail areused for defense and as an anchor in the rocks when sleeping. 

The yellow tang is a grazing fish with a diet of almost anything thatis green (ie. alge, grass, lettuce...). It is not unheard of for the fishto eat meat. Even though this fish is generaly an herbivore the tang hasbeen known to eat shrimp and other smaller animals. This varying diet mayeven include excrements from other fish. This small fish is very territorial;especially in the presence of another tang fish. The yellow tang is alsoin the sergeant fish family. 

The tang fish does not require a lot of space in which to live. Butplease take in mind when using the tang in an aquarium that it needs aconstant flow of water. Not much but some, it helps the fish stay in shapeand keeps the fish in good health.

The short snout has evolved for the specialized task of grazing on algaewhich grows on rocks. The mouth and surrounding skin has toughened to withstandthe impact with the rough reef surface. Like other fish in the sergeantfish family they have a number of small spines protruding near their tail.The spines near their tail is how they got their name, also commonly calledthe scalpel fish. As mentioned above the spines on the tail serve dualpurposes as a means of defence and as an anchor while sleeping

This has become a very popular fish in aquariums as of late. There isonly one other tang that is more popular, the purple tang. They are eazyfish to take care of and will add plenty of color to any enviroment. Butanyone who wants to add the tang to their aquarium should be forewarnedthat the tang is prone to ich. An external parasite that can eventualykill the fish. Almost every tang contracts this parasite at one time oranother.

This seems to be a calm fish in regards to others in my observations,except to other tangs. They also are extremely quick and dart from placeto place, never hovering in one place too long; at least the males alwaysseem to keep moving. Their striking color makes them a fun and interestingfish to watch. It has also been said that people who own aquariums withcolorful fish lead less stressful lives.