Description
Aquarium Requirements:
- Tank Size: 200+ gallons (750+ liters) due to its active swimming behavior.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Salinity: 1.020–1.025
- Water Flow: Moderate to strong (well-oxygenated environment).
Size & Lifespan:
- Adult Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm).
- Lifespan: 10–15 years with proper care.
Behavior & Tank Mates:
- Relatively peaceful compared to other surgeonfish but can show mild aggression toward similar-shaped fish.
- Best kept alone or with peaceful to semi-aggressive tank mates.
- Compatible with:
- Other peaceful fish like angelfish, wrasses, gobies, and butterflyfish.
- Other tangs, if introduced properly in a large enough tank.
- Reef-safe, as it does not harm corals.
Diet & Feeding:
- Omnivorous, but primarily herbivorous.
- 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:
- Requires a large tank with plenty of swimming space.
- Prone to marine ich—quarantine before adding to the main tank.
- Strong water flow and high oxygen levels are essential for its health.
- Less aggressive than some other tangs, making it a good choice for mixed-species tanks.
