Tang and Surgeonfish Profiles

One of the more demanding surgeonfish of the Acanthuridae Family, the Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles) requires much attention. It is highly susceptible to contracting ich, and can have problems with HLLE. It can be aggressive towards other surgeonfishes, especially those of... Read more

The rare Black Longnose Tang (Zebrasoma rostratum) is quite distinctive with its solid black body, black eyes, long snout, broad sail-like fins, and white razor-like spines located on both sides of the caudal peduncle. This fish is somewhat similar to the... Read more

The juvenile stage of the Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis) is very colorful. However, once in the adult stage the red and purple colors fade and it becomes dark brown, almost black, with the sides of the body and head marked by many fine, horizontal, yellowish-gray lines. Because the adult stage of the Chevron Tang is similar in appearance to that of... Read more

The Clown Surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus) perfers to inhabit the oxygen and marine algae enriched shallower waters of the reef. Being in the Surgeonfish Family it has all the typical traits, such as the characteristic sharp razor-like spur or spine on the caudal peduncle, it does not get along well with... Read more

Convict Tangs (a.k.a. Hawaiian Manini) are schooling fish and are found in the shallower oxygen enriched waters of the reef where fine, filamentous algae is abundant. This is in areas where there is little coral, but has lots of rocks or stones that allow the... Read more

The Goldrim Tang (Acanthurus nigricans) is a very shy fish, but once acclimated to its surroundings it becomes very active. It is best kept singly. If you insist on having more than one of these fish they should only be kept in a very large tank with ample cover, and not be kept with... Read more

Restricted to Hawaiian waters, this very rare quirk of nature where an Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles) and a Goldrim Tang (Acanthurus nigricans) have merged together during conception. It is one of the few reef fishes in Hawaiian waters known to hybridize. The Goldrim Tang is not common in Hawaiian waters and the Achilles is endemic to them. The odds of getting nature to create this fish... Read more

The Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus) is a fantastic algae consumer. It also make a good choice when it comes to compatibility with other more docile, non-related species and... Read more

The Naso Tang (Naso lituratus) is a herbivore, with a diet preference for brown macroalgae. Some specimens may be reluctant to eat anything else, but for the most part this species will usually accept the basic tank fed diet for Tangs & Surgeonfishes. On rare occasions an individual may... Read more

Because of its size and constant roaming nature, the minimum aquarium size suggested for the Orange Shoulder Tang (Acanthurus olivaceus) is 135 gallons. As long as the aquarium is large enough a juvenile and an adult may be kept together. It is generally compatible with other non-aggressive tank mates, but... Read more