Saltwater Fish
Sailfin Tang.
The sailfin tang (Zebrasoma veliferum) is a big, banded algae grazer that raises its tall sail-like fins to look even larger — about 15 inches full-grown. Reef-safe and a workhorse against algae, but an active swimmer; give it a 100-gallon-plus reef with open water and rock to graze.
We keep this species at our Erie store. Come and see it in the tanks, or call (814) 456-9445 and ask what we have in right now.
Sea Cave keeps this species. You will find these in the tanks at 660 East 14th Street in Erie. We never ship live animals.
- Condition
- new
- Fulfillment
- Local pickup — Erie, PA
We never ship fish, coral, or invertebrates — every animal here is one you meet in person. Each one is acclimated and health-checked in-house before it goes out into the display tanks. This is a species we keep, and what is swimming on any given day changes with the deliveries, so please call (814) 456-9445 before you drive in.
Care at a glance
What to know before you take one home.
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Temperament
- Semi aggressive
- Community
- Semi community
- Adult size
- 15"
- Min tank size
- 75–180 gal by age
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Scientific name
- Zebrasoma veliferum
Grows into its tank
Juvenile75 galAdult (15 in.)180 galGood tank mates
Works in larger fish-only and reef communities with peaceful to semi-aggressive species like wrasses, clownfish, anthias, and angelfish, and it is reef-safe with most corals. It can be territorial toward other tangs, especially other Zebrasoma or similar body shapes, so add it last and avoid crowding multiple tangs into a small space. Give it a big tank with lots of open swimming room and rockwork to defuse aggression.
Good to know
When threatened the sailfin tang erects its huge dorsal and anal fins to look dramatically larger, which is also where it gets its name.
What is in the tanks and each animal's temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for pairing advice.
Good tankmates
Plays well with.
Species we’d keep in the same tank, with why each pairing works. What is in the tanks and each animal’s temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for advice on pairing.
New to stocking a tank? Read our guide on which fish live together.
Ultra Black Ice
Peaceful, stays near its host anemone, and does not compete with the Sailfin Tang for open-water swimming space or algae-based food.
Green Chromis
Peaceful, open-water schooling fish that occupy the mid-water column without competing for the tang's rock-grazing territory.
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Reef-safe invertebrate that provides parasite-removal cleaning services to the tang without any competition or aggression.
Firefish Goby
Shy, non-aggressive reef fish that shelters in rock crevices and occupies a completely different ecological niche from the open-swimming tang. The Sailfin Tang is an herbivore with no predatory or fin-nipping behavior toward small gobies; in the large systems (180+ gal) this tang requires, the Firefish has ample bolt-holes and is not exposed to aggression.
- N
Neon Goby
Tiny, non-territorial cleaner fish that actively removes parasites from the Sailfin Tang's skin and poses no threat to the tang's territory.
- F
Fairy Wrasse
Reef-safe, peaceful wrasse that occupies mid-water and does not challenge the tang's rock-grazing territory or compete for algae.
Visit the store
660 East 14th Street,
Erie, PA.
Mon–Fri 12–6 · Sat 11–4 · Sun closed. Call ahead on livestock — what's on the floor rotates.