Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
Site Supported in Part by:
Two Little Fishies 

Acanthurus

Acanthurus tennentii

Gunther, 1861

Doubleband Tang/Surgeonfish

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Western Indian Ocean: East Africa to Sri Lanka, and also the Lesser Sunda Islands of southern Indonesia.

Size: 12 inches (30 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 3 - 65 feet (1 - 20 m) where it feeds on benthic algae.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes and having a pale brown body with a black horseshoe mark on the shoulder breaking into two horizontal curved bands in larger specimens, and also has its spine area edged in black. Also has white on the trailing edge of 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.

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

 Acanthurus tennentii (Doubleband Tang/Surgeonfish)
Photo © John Randall
Site Supported in Part by:
Hikari