Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Acanthurus

Acanthurus nigroris

Valenciennes, 1835

Bluelined Tang/Surgeonfish

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Aldabra and Seychelles to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamotu Islands and throughout Micronesia.

Size: 10 inches (25 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 3 - 300 feet (1 - 90 m) where it feeds on filamentous algae, diatoms, and microalgae on the sand.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes and having a dark greyish/brown body with black spot at the base of the dorsal.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and 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.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Acanthuroidei

    Family: Acanthuridae

    Genus: Acanthurus

FYI: One per tank.

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

Can be quite aggressive towards others in the family, yet peaceful with other tankmates.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

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: 150 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Acanthurus nigroris (Bluelined Tang/Surgeonfish)
Photo © John Randall
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