Understanding habitat utilization of coral reef fish at each life stage is critical for determining their vulnerability to changing ocean conditions and for successful reef fish management. The yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) is a herbivorous surgeonfish and is heavily collected in the Hawaiian marine aquarium trade. Previous work suggests that recruits and juveniles utilize branching coral at mid depths (~12 m) and make an ontogenetic shift to shallow (~3 m) depths as adults. These studies, however, have not explored yellow tang abundances beyond ~18 m. Here, we analyze the distribution of yellow tang to deeper depths. Fish and benthic surveys were conducted on the west coast of the island of Hawaii (West Hawaii) along a depth gradient from shallow to upper mesophotic coral reefs (3- 40 m). The results confirmed previous research, however, adults were also found in low but consistent abundances from 21-40 m and juveniles were found to 30 m when branching coral habitat was present. Thus, the upper mesophotic zone is serving as additional juvenile and adult habitat for yellow tang in Hawaii
