Which location is historically cited as a major source for Yellow Tangs entering the ornamental aquarium trade?
Answer
Hawaii
While the Yellow Tang has a broad natural distribution across the Pacific, the global ornamental aquarium trade has historically relied heavily on specific collection zones for logistical and practical reasons. Hawaii stands out as a place where the strong presence of these fish initially linked them to large-scale collection efforts for export. Although collections from this region are now subject to monitoring and potential restrictions due to sustainability concerns, Hawaii remains a historically significant, major source for captive-bound specimens entering the global market.

Related Questions
Which major ocean basin is excluded from the native distribution of the Yellow Tang, *Zebrasoma flavescens*?What physical characteristic is noted alongside the buttery yellow coloration of the *Zebrasoma flavescens*?What is the typical maximum depth range where Yellow Tangs are commonly observed utilizing tropical reef environments?What term describes the Yellow Tang's daily activity pattern of being active during the day while grazing on algae?What specific geological features, other than exposed rock, do Yellow Tangs frequently use as foraging areas supporting algal growth?How does the primary food source for *Zebrasoma flavescens* directly link the species to areas with specific water conditions?Which location is historically cited as a major source for Yellow Tangs entering the ornamental aquarium trade?What contrasting behavior do Yellow Tangs exhibit when night approaches regarding their location on the reef structure?What is a significant ecological consequence that could cause a localized population of *Zebrasoma flavescens* to decline within their known boundaries?What distinction is highlighted when comparing the vast natural distribution of Yellow Tangs versus the origin points for the pet trade pipeline?