Zebrasoma veliferum
Desjardin's sailfin tang
(Also: Eastern sailfin tang; Pacific sail-fin surgeonfish; Pacific sailfin tang; Pasific sailfin tang; Purple-lined tang; Ringed tang; Sail fish tang; Sailfin surgeonfish; Sailfin tang)

Zebrasoma veliferum is found in the Pacific Ocean from Indonesia and Christmas Island to the Hawaiian and Tuamotu Islands, north to southern Japan, and south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, and Rapa. This species is also found throughout Micronesia. In the Indian Ocean, Z. veliferum is replaced by a similar species, Z. desjardinii. (Lieske and Myers, 1996; Myers, 1999)

This species can be found inhabiting lagoons and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to a depth of 30 m or more. Solitary juveniles can be found among rocks or corals of shallow and protected reefs, which may be turbid. While feeding, this species can be found in benthic environments. (Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005)

Adult Z. veliferum are irregularly ovoid shaped and typically have a body depth that is 1.8 to 2.0 times shorter than the standard length (the length of the fish from the tip of the snout to the base of the caudal fin). The largest specimen recorded of this species was 39.5 cm long. Like other species in the family Acanthuridae, Z. veliferum has a deep compressed body. The front of the snout protrudes giving a concave dorsal and ventral profile of the head. (Randall, 2005; Sadovy and Cornish, 2000)

Zebrasoma veliferum has continuous, unnotched dorsal and anal fins. There are 29 to 33 (rarely 29) rays and 4 to 9 spines in the dorsal fin, 23 to 26 rays and 2 or 3 spines in the anal fin, and 15 to 17 rays in the pectoral fins. The pelvic fins have 3 to 5 rays as well as a spine. The dorsal and anal fins are extremely elevated and rounded, with the longest dorsal ray 2.1 to 2.5 times shorter than the standard length. Unlike other species in the genus Zebrasoma, the caudal spine of Z. veliferum is singular and not broadly joined to the body posteriorly (it folds into a narrow groove). The caudal fin is truncate. Other physical characteristics of Z. veliferum include a complete lateral line, small ctenoid scales, and 22 to 23 vertebrae. They also have up to 16 upper and 18 lower teeth, which are spatulate with denticulate edges. (Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005; Myers, 1999; National Marine Fisheries Service, 1984; Randall, 2005)

This species tends to show great variation in color but the overall body pattern is consistent. Posterior to the eye, the body and head of adult Z. veliferum is dark brown to grayish-black with vertical yellow lines and six narrow bands which incline diagonally forward. The anterior bands are white and the posterior are pale gray. Within the bands, the yellow lines are brighter than in the darker spaces between. Anterior to the eye, the head is light gray with many small white spots. The dorsal and anal fins of this species are dark brown with pale blue or green borders. The caudal fin is yellow with a white bar at the base, blue posterior margin, and a black submarginal line. (Field and Field, 1998; Marshall, 1966; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005)

Juveniles of this species may be mistakenly identified as small angelfish because of their appearance. They have the same oversized dorsal and anal fins as the adults, but their coloration tends to be different. Juveniles have brightly colored yellow bodies with narrow black or gray bars. Their heads have two black bars. With age, the bright yellow color of the body fades. (Field and Field, 1998; Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005)

As with other species in the family Acanthuridae, this species has a specialized pelagic, dispersing larval stage before the juvenile stage. This is referred to as the acronurus larval stage. This particular larval stage is responsible for the broad geographical distribution found within this species. (National Marine Fisheries Service, 1984; Bonhomme and Planes, 2000; Myers, 1999; Rocha, et al., 2002)

This species has small (less than 1 mm) pelagic eggs with a single oil droplet. When the poorly-developed larvae hatch (after about 1 day), they soon develop serrate ridges on the head. The pelvic and second dorsal spines form next followed by the second anal spine. Next, the head and trunk become deepened. The body becomes kite-shaped, accentuated by the long pelvic, dorsal, and anal spines. Small, triangular scales form in vertical rows. Late in the larval stage, the juvenile coloration becomes evident and the caudal peduncle spine develops. (National Marine Fisheries Service, 1984; Thresher, 1984)

Both paired and group spawning have been documented among this species. As with other acanthurids, group spawning is the most common. Color changes can be seen during this time. Just prior to spawning, individuals of this species form large groups. This usually occurs in winter or early spring, but it can occur throughout the year. Reproduction is usually polygynandrous: both males and females have multiple mating partners. (Lieske and Myers, 1996; Randall, 2005; Thresher, 1984)

Reproduction among Z. veliferum typically occurs on a lunar cycle with peak activity during the winter or early spring. Occasionally, there is reproductive activity throughout the year. Spawning usually occurs at dusk and involves groups, but pair-spawning has also been observed. The eggs are pelagic and hatch after one day. Zebrasoma veliferum becomes sexually mature between one and two years of age. (Myers, 1999; Randall, 2005)

Zebrasoma veliferum invests its energy producing gametes and spawning, but no parental care has been reported within this species. (Thresher, 1984)

This species is relatively long-lived, living up to about 25 years. The oldest recorded individual in the wild was 27 years old. There is not sufficient information available on the longest-lived individual in captivity. (Sale, 2002; Thresher, 1984)

Zebrasoma veliferum is a diurnal reef fish. It is usually found alone but occasionally it occurs in pairs. Large groups of these fish have also been reported and they mix freely with other surgeonfish species. These fish tend to live within dominance hierarchies among themselves and other reef fishes. They use their spines to exert their dominance over other individuals. (Field and Field, 1998; Randall, 2005)

The home range size of Z. veliferum has not been reported.

Members of this species communicate with each other and with other species of fishes in a number of ways. Like most other ray-finned fishes, this species uses visual displays as a means of communication. Color changes are observed in males during arousal, either during intraspecific competition or spawning. Also during intraspecific competition, the caudal peduncle spine may be brightly colored and positioned at an angle toward the competitor. Like many other species of fish, Z. veliferum also uses pheromones to communicate. These chemical signals can be detected by conspecifics or by closely related species. (Moyle and Cech, 2004; Thresher, 1984)

Zebrasoma veliferum is primarily a diurnal herbivore and feeds on benthic algae. Zebrasoma veliferum also feeds on zooplankton when it is abundant. (Lieske and Myers, 1996; Randall, 2005; Lieske and Myers, 1996; Randall, 2005)

This species is prey for anything near the reef that is large enough to consume it. An example of such a predator is the whitetip reef shark, Triaenodon obesus. To avoid predation, Z. veliferum typically feeds during the day and hides among the reef at night. This species also has a sharp caudal spine that may act to deter predators. To advertise this protection, the tail fin is aposematic: the bright yellow coloration most likely serves as warning to predators. (Randall, 2005)

These fish live among coral reefs, constantly interacting with each other and with individuals of other species. They are prey for cartilaginous fishes and other bony fishes. They consume benthic algae and occasionally zooplankton. Zebrasoma veliferum is known to be associated with symbiotic microorganisms that reside in its digestive tract. These microorganisms, named Epulopiscium fishelsoni, were thought to be eukaryotic protists at first, but later they were determined to be unusually large bacteria. The size of the bacteria appears to be correlated to the host feeding ecology. (Clements, et al., 1989; Lieske and Myers, 1996; Randall, 2005)

Mycobacterioses, or tuberculosis, are bacterial diseases that affect both freshwater and marine species of fishes. Mycobacterioses are caused by highly resistant bacteria which are difficult to control. These bacteria can be found in both wild and captive Z. veliferum. The most commonly isolated species of these bacteria in Acanthuridae are Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. marinum, and M. chelonae. (Prearo, et al., 2004)

This species is quite common in the aquarium trade, probably because it is relatively large, showy, and one of the easiest species of Acanthuridae to keep in captivity if bought when young. (Lawrence and Harniess, 1991)

The sharp spine on the caudal peduncle of Z. veliferum has the capability of inflicting deep, painful wounds to a person trying to grasp one of these fish live. Also, in the larval stage, fish of this species have venomous second dorsal, second anal, and pelvic spines. This venom is lost during transformation to the juvenile stage. Furthermore, this species is ciguatoxic and can be poisonous to humans if eaten. Finally, the mycobacterioses carried by Z. veliferum are potential zoonoses that can cause skin infections and lesions in humans. (Halstead, 1978; Prearo, et al., 2004; Randall, 2005)

Zebrasoma veliferum is not currently on the IUCN Red List, CITES appendices, or the United States Endangered Species Act list.