Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

5 Best Foods For Yellow Tangs in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Lindsey Stanton Profile Picture

By Lindsey Stanton

Zebrasoma flavescens Yellow Tang fish with purple coral reef

In our opinion, yellow tang fish are some of the most beautiful tropical fish around. Their bright yellow color really brings any aquarium to life and their feisty personality only serves to make them even more noticeable. Just like with any other pet you have, you need to feed your yellow tang fish the right foods. They have pretty specific dietary needs that need to be followed.

Now, they are not difficult to feed, but you do need the right foods. Let’s talk about what things constitute the best food for yellow tang fish (these seaweed sheets are our top pick).

aquarium plant divider

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Winner
Green Seaweed Sheets Green Seaweed Sheets
  • Full of vitamins and nutrients
  • Easy to digest
  • No additives
  • Second place
    Ocean Nutrition Food Formula 2 Flakes Ocean Nutrition Food Formula 2 Flakes
  • Good flake option
  • High quality ingredients
  • Color-enhancing vitamins and minerals
  • Third place
    New Life Spectrum New Life Spectrum
  • Healthy balance of proteins and minerals
  • Made in the USA
  • 100% natural ingredients
  • Yellow Tang Fish Diet

    The yellow tang’s diet consists mostly of algae, seaweed, and other plant matter. The vast majority of the yellow tang’s diet is plant matter. However, while you might think that they are herbivorous, they are actually omnivores. While their favorite and most often eaten foods are all plant matter, they will occasionally venture into the world of meat and eat things like mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, and other such smaller creatures.

    That being said, these guys eat mostly seaweed and algae, so you need to accommodate that fact. You should feed your yellow tangs roughly 80% to 90% plant-based foods with the rest being animal proteins.

    aquarium plant divider

    The 5 Best Foods For Yellow Tang Fish

    Now that we know exactly what yellow tang fish eat, let’s take a closer look at what we think is the best food for yellow tang fish;

    1. Green Seaweed Sheets

    Far Edge Aquatics Bulk Green Seaweed for Fish

    Check Price on Chewy
    Check Price on Amazon

    Pros
    • Most highly recommended food for Yellow Tang
    • High in vitamins and minerals
    • Available in bulk packs
    • No additives
    • Tested for quality and safety

    Cons
    • Uneaten food may cloud the water

    These green seaweed sheets are a great option to go with in terms of food for your yellow tang fish. In fact, these kinds of seaweed sheets are the most highly recommended food for this type of fish. Yellow tangs need tons of vitamins and nutrients, all of which can be found in something like this seaweed. It’s probably the best, most nutritious, and healthiest thing that you could be feeding your yellow tang.

    These particular sheets come in bulk, so you get enough in one serving for quite a long time. This is 100% seaweed with tons of nutrients and no unwanted additives. It’s perfectly healthy, easily digested, and will provide your yellow tang with everything it needs for good health. This stuff is made with the highest quality seaweed around and is also vigorously tested for quality and safety. When it comes to food for your yellow tang, these particular seaweed sheets are probably your best option.


    2. Ocean Nutrition Food Formula 2 Flakes

    Ocean Nutrition Formula Two Flakes

    Check Price on Chewy
    Check Price on Amazon

    Pros
    • Good for community tanks
    • Meets low animal protein needs of Yellow Tang
    • High in protein, vitamins, and minerals
    • Helps enhance fish’s color

    Cons
    • Not to be fed as primary food source

    These particular flakes are a good choice to go with for your yellow tang fish. Now, these flakes are formulated for carnivorous and omnivorous fish, but yellow tangs can still eat them. Yellow tangs are mostly herbivorous, but they do eat small amounts of meat protein. This means that you can feed your yellow tangs these flakes on an occasional basis and all will be fine.

    They are made with high quality ingredients, they contain lots of protein, and a healthy serving of other minerals and vitamins. Ocean Nutrition Food Formula 2 Flakes also contain lots of color enhancing ingredients to make the color of your yellow tang bright and vibrant. You can use these flakes for most tropical fish.


    3. New Life Spectrum

    New Life Spectrum Marine Fish Formula

    Check Price on Chewy
    Check Price on Amazon

    Pros
    • Miniature pellets are good for fish of many sizes
    • Good for community tanks
    • Contains balanced levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals
    • Made in the USA

    Cons
    • Uneaten food may cloud the water

    New Life Spectrum miniature pellets are another decent option to consider for your yellow tang fish. These pellets are made with high quality ingredients that can be found. They are great for omnivorous fish as they contain a healthy balance of proteins, minerals, and plant matter too.

    They are very basic pellets, but they do the job just fine. New Life Spectrum pellets are made with only 100% natural ingredients and they are made in the USA.


    4. Ocean Nutrition Formula One Marine Pellets

    Ocean Nutrition Formula One Marine Pellets

    Pros
    • Designed for rapid nutrient delivery to fish
    • Helps enhance fish’s color
    • Good for community tanks

    Cons
    • Not to be fed as primary food source

    These particular pellets are designed for rapid nutrient delivery and absorption. Yellow tangs need quite a bit of food as their metabolisms are pretty efficient, so rapid nutrient deliver is a good thing in this case. Ocean Nutrition Formula One Marine Pellets are made with high quality ingredients to help ensure your yellow tangs stay healthy.

    This is a super color enhancing food which will really bring that yellow color to the forefront of the aquarium. Ocean Nutrition Formula One Marine Pellets are designed for both carnivorous and omnivorous fish. Since yellow tangs are herbivorous for the most part, these pellets can be used for occasional feeding along with plant based foods.

    They do contain a healthy mix of animal based proteins as well as plant matter, but just not enough plant matter to make this an exclusive food that can be used on its own.


    5. Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp

    San Francisco Bay Brand Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp

    Pros
    • Great as a treat
    • Freeze dried
    • High in protein, vitamins, and minerals
    • May stimulate growth and appetite

    Cons
    • Not to be fed as primary food source
    • Uneaten food may cloud the water

    Like we said, yellow tang fish do like their veggies and other plant matter for the most part, but they do also enjoy the occasional meaty meal. In this case, these freeze dried Mysis shrimp make for the perfect snack or meal alternative.

    These things are freeze dried, which means that there is no chance of them harboring any harmful bacteria or parasites, something that is often the case with live foods. Mysis shrimp are loaded with protein, minerals, and other essential nutrients, giving your yellow tang fish the boost they need for lots of energy and overall good health.

    Mysis shrimp are also known to stimulate growth and appetite, both beneficial features.

    aquarium plant divider

    Conclusion

    Remember folks, the majority of a yellow tang fish’s diet is plant matter such as algae and seaweed, but they will eat a little bit of meat. Just keep this in mind when selecting food and when feeding your little yellow fish. As long as you stick to a balanced diet, your yellow tangs will flourish without a doubt.


    Featured Image Credit: stockphoto for you, Shutterstock

    Related Articles

    Further Reading

    Vet Articles

    Latest Vet Answers

    The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database

    Shopping cart0
    There are no products in the cart!