Acanthurus olivaceus

Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Orange-Shoulder Tang

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Islands and Christmas Islands to Hawaiian and Tuamotu Islands, north to Japan.

Size: 12 inches (30 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 30 - 150 feet (10 - 45 m) where it feeds on filamentous algae, diatoms, and microalgae found on the sand and rocks.

General Husbandry: Somewhat common in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes with the frontal body a pale greyish/brown and aft body dark brown, with a bright orange horizontal band and dark purplish edging just aft of the eyes. Juveniles are yellow overall and also have the same color shoulder bar.

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 somewhat aggressive towards others in the aquarium.

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: 180 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.5