Acanthurus sohal

(Forsskal, 1775)

Shoal Tang/Surgeonfish

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea to the Persian Gulf.

Size: 16 inches (40 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits reef plateaus, seaward reef edges, and also occurs in surge zones

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes and having a greyish body with numerous horizontal blue and dark blue lines, and bright blue edging on the dark blue dorsal, pelvic and anal fins.

a white bar under the eyes, yellow edging on the upper and lower edges of the aft body, yellow on the spine area of the caudal peduncle, and white, yellow and blue, in that order, on the tail.

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.

Very aggressive to new tankmates or similar looking fishes and needs plenty of space and open water areas to swim.

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: 250 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.5