Description
Aquarium Requirements:
- Tank Size: 125+ gallons (475+ liters) due to its constant swimming needs.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Salinity: 1.020–1.025
- Water Flow: Moderate to strong (requires high oxygen levels).
Size & Lifespan:
- Adult Size: Up to 9 inches (23 cm).
- Lifespan: 10–15 years with proper care.
Behavior & Tank Mates:
- Highly active and aggressive, especially toward other tangs and similar-shaped fish.
- Best kept alone or with non-aggressive tank mates like wrasses, angelfish, or larger clownfish.
- Can be kept with other tangs if introduced carefully (avoid similar species like the Powder Brown Tang).
Diet & Feeding:
- Herbivorous—requires a plant-based diet for good health.
- 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 its diet.
Additional Care Tips:
- Very susceptible to Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon) and other parasites—quarantine is highly recommended before adding to the display tank.
- Requires excellent water quality and plenty of swimming space.
- Needs strong water flow to simulate natural reef environments.
- Can become very aggressive in smaller tanks—best housed in large aquariums with carefully chosen tank mates.
