Description
Aquarium Requirements:
- Tank Size: 250+ gallons (950+ liters) due to its large size and active swimming needs.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Salinity: 1.020–1.025
- Water Flow: Moderate to strong (prefers well-oxygenated water).
Size & Lifespan:
- Adult Size: Up to 20 inches (51 cm).
- Lifespan: 15+ years with proper care.
Behavior & Tank Mates:
- Semi-aggressive, but generally less territorial than other large tangs like the Clown Tang.
- Best kept alone or with non-aggressive tank mates in a very large tank.
- Compatible with:
- Large, active fish such as triggers, angelfish, wrasses, and groupers.
- Can cohabitate with other tangs in tanks over 500+ gallons, but avoid other Acanthurus species.
- Reef-safe—does not eat corals but may disturb invertebrates while foraging.
Diet & Feeding:
- Herbivorous, requiring a plant-heavy diet.
- Feed multiple times daily with:
- Dried or fresh seaweed (nori)
- Spirulina-based flakes and pellets
- Vegetable-based frozen foods
- Occasionally accepts mysis shrimp and brine shrimp, but plant matter should dominate.
Additional Care Tips:
- Needs an extremely large aquarium with plenty of open swimming space.
- Prone to marine ich and lateral line erosion—quarantine before adding to the display tank and maintain a vitamin-enriched diet.
- Strong water flow and high oxygen levels are necessary for this species.
- Best suited for expert aquarists or public aquariums due to its large size and swimming needs.
