Acanthurus coeruleus

Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Blue Tang/Surgeonfish

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: New York to Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil.

Size: 10 inches (25 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow grassy coastal reefs and lagoons and usually found at depths between 6 - 130 feet (2 - 40 m) where it feeds mainly upon algae and parasites found on turtles.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes, with juveniles overall yellow and adults becoming blue overall.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and somewhat turbulent, well-oxygenated water flow.

Requires a varied vegetable diet, including fresh macroalgae, Spirulina, zucchini, broccoli, dried seaweed (Nori), and enriched vegetable flakes, and requires two or three feedings per day. Will browse on filamentous and microalgae, and consume meaty foods such as pieces of fish flesh and mussel meat.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Acanthuroidei

Family: Acanthuridae

Genus: Acanthurus

FYI: One per tank and a constant grazer.

Has a sharp forward pointing spine on each side of the caudal peduncle, which folds into a groove. Erected when excited. Handle with care!

Should have peaceful, none fin-nipping tankmates.

Can be quite aggressive towards others in the family.

Can be somewhat aggressive if maintained in an aquarium too small for its size.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Herbivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 - 26°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.5