Indian Sailfin Tang, Zebrasoma desjardinii (Bennett 1836)

Other Names: Indian Sail-fin Surgeonfish, Red Sea Sailfin Tang

An Indian Sailfin Tang, Zebrasoma jardinii, at Reunion Island, February 2011. Source: zsispeo / Flickr. License: CC By Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Summary:

A greyish tang with darker grey bars outlined in orange on the sides and darker bars on the head, large yellowish to orange spots on the lower side, paler spots on the dorsal, anal and caudal fins, and smaller spots on the head and chest.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2019, Zebrasoma desjardinii in Fishes of Australia, accessed 11 Mar 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4963

Quick Facts

CAAB Code:37437056

Conservation:IUCN Least Concern

Depth:1-30 m

Fishing:Aquarium fish

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:40 cm TL

Species Image Gallery

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Distribution	Recorded from the Australian territories of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean. Elsewhere the species is widespread in the Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea to Indonesia. Individuals or small groups occur in lagoons and on outer reefs in depths to 30 m.
Features	Dorsal fin IV, 27-31; anal fin III, 22-24; Pectoral fin 15-17. Body depth 1.8-2.0 in SL; dorsal fin tall and sail-like; caudal peduncle with a retractable spine on each side.
Species Citation	Acanthurus desjardinii Bennett 1836, Proceedings of the General Meetings for Scientific Business of the Zoological Society of London 1835(3): 207. Type locality: Mauritius.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2019
Resources	Australian Faunal Directory

Indian Sailfin Tang, Zebrasoma desjardinii (Bennett 1836)