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Related FAQs: AcanthurusAcanthurus Tangs 2Acanthurus Tangs 3, Acanthurus ID, Acanthurus Behavior, Acanthurus Compatibility, Acanthurus Selection, Acanthurus Systems, Acanthurus Feeding, Acanthurus Disease, Acanthurus Reproduction, Surgeons In General, Tang ID, Selection, Tang Behavior, Compatibility, Systems, Feeding, Disease

This Article Began as Part 1: Tangs of the Genus Acanthurus

Related Articles: Tangs, Surgeons, Doctorfishes, family Acanthuridae, species of Acanthurus: A. leucosternon (Powder Blue), A. sohal, A. nigricans & A. japonicus, other tang genera: Ctenochaetus, Naso, Paracanthurus, Prionurus, ZebrasomaThe Surgeon Family, Acanthuridae

/The Conscientious Marine Aquarist

The "Bad", Unknown and Just Too Dang Big Tangs, Surgeons, Doctorfishes, of the Genus Acanthurus, Part 1 of 3

Bad Acanthurus and Unknowns: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3,
Good to Medium Acanthurus: Part 1, Part 2

By Bob Fenner

Acanthurus olivaceus

Surgeonfishes: Tangs for  Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here


by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Bad Acanthurus Species:

What makes a tang species bad besides dying easily in captivity; NOT dying easily... but helping your other livestock do so. Honestly, some individuals of the fishes listed below will try to kill all their tankmates. If you are set on trying one of the designated "bad boys", do provide plenty of hiding spaces and tough, tough, tough space-sharers (triggers, basses, morays, puffers)... and even then keep your eye on them.

Acanthurus. achilles Shaw 1803, Achilles tang. Widely distributed from Hawaii westward through Micronesia and Melanesia, an area called Oceania (also reported from Mexico's Baja tip). Though the best specimens do hail from U.S.s 50th state success with this species can only be had by securing a healthy specimen, providing a large well-established living space, with high, consistent specific gravity and oxygen concentration. Shown below, a juvenile and adult Hawaii specimen and one in the Cooks
   
Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Acanthurus bariene Lesson 1830, the (Black) Eye-Spot Surgeon, is collected from Australia and the Solomon islands. Reportedly feeds largely on algal film on bare rocks. Juveniles are found in shallow protected reefs, typically amongst soft corals. This can be a quarrelsome fish, that ultimately requires a large (hundreds of gallons) system. To one foot in length. Here in Mabul, Malaysia. 

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Acanthurus blochii Valenciennes 1835, the Ringtail Surgeonfish. A larger (up to seventeen inches) schooling species, often found shoaling over sandy areas. Found widespread throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. Note the white bar across this species caudal peduncle. Shown, a juvenile and adults in Hawai'i.

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Acanthurus chirurgus Doctorfish. The only TWA tang w/ faint body bars. To 14". Cozumel 2016.

Acanthurus leucopareius (Jenkins 1903), the Whiteband or Whitebar Surgeonfish, tends to be a picky feeder, hard to train off its favored food, filamentous algae. To about eight inches overall length. Pacific; Southern Japan to Noumea over to Hawai'i.  Hawai'i images of a juvenile, sub-adult and adult.

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Bad Acanthurus and Unknowns: Part 2, Part 3,
Good to Medium Acanthurus: Part 1, Part 2

Surgeonfishes: Tangs for  Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here


by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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