Doctorfish tang

Doctorfish tang by xinmincat

Acanthurus chirurgus, commonly called the Doctor fish and the Doctorfish tang in English or the Barbero rayado and the Cirujano rayado in Spanish, is a tropical marine fish common in the Atlantic Ocean.

Reaching a maximum size of 39 cm and 5.1 kg, Acanthurus chirurgus gets its common name for the structures called “scalpels”, which are found on either side of the caudal peduncle. The “scalpel”, is used during fights with other Doctor fish and as a defense mechanism against predators.

Its coloration generally varies from blue-gray to dark brown. Even with this variety of colors, 10 to 12 vertical bars are always present, no matter how faint. Also regardless of body color, the edges of the caudal, dorsal, and anal fins are blue. There is also a faint blue ring that can be seen encircling the “scalpel” on either side.

Powder Blue Tang

Powder Blue Tang by Dracs

Acanthurus leucosternon is a tropical fish with the common names powder blue tang and Powderblue surgeonfish.

Powder Blue Tang by p3pilot71

The powder blue tang is light blue with yellow and white highlighted fins. Its face is a uniform black with a white outline. The fish does not undergo color changes as it matures, as some tangs, surgeonfish and unicornfish do. The species can grow to a maximum length of 25cm.

Achilles Tang

Achilles Tang by elrina753

Acanthurus achilles is a tropical fish with the common names Achilles Tang and Achilles surgeonfish.

In the Aquarium

Unfortunately, the Achilles Tang has a poor survival rate when kept in captivity. They are not for the inexperienced aquarist. However, if you are a more experienced saltwater aquarist, you might think about keeping an Achilles. They are peaceful aquarium inhabitants and will rarely bother their tankmates. Just about the only exception is when kept with other Tangs/Surgeonfish, particularly of their own species. Then they will become aggressive towards the other Tang. They are reef-safe, and can be kept with any invertebrates. Also, they shouldn't be kept in a tank under 100 gallons. The Achilles Tang (and all Tangs, for that matter) needs plenty of swimming room. Possible tankmates include Clownfish, Blennies, Gobies, Chromis, Butterflyfish, and small Lionfish and Eels.

Turbulent water flow and surface movement (either in the display aquarium or attached sump) is essential for Achilles health. Heavy surface movement brings water oxygen levels near saturation. Keeping an adult Achilles well fed can be a chore, with one adult easily consuming one 5"x5" sheet of pressed seaweed daily. Selcon-type products can be utilized several times a week to supplement their diet. A lowered reef temperature of 78F can also assist in keeping an Achilles fat. A standard reef temperature of 80-82F will raise the Achilles' metabolism to a point where adequate nutrition will be difficult. Introducing a specimen of about 5" is ideal, juveniles do not fare well (if they can even be found).

Sohal Tang

Sohal Tang by Sandra A.

Sohal Tang by Sandra A.

The sohal surgeonfish or sohal tang, Acanthurus sohal, is a Red Sea endemic which grows to 16 inches in the wild. Its striking blue and white horizontal stripes has made it what many consider the 'poster fish' for the Red Sea reef environment. It is a valued aquarium fish.

Like other tangs, the sohal tang is compressed laterally, making it extremely maneuverable and fast along the reef. It has a horizontal, blade-like spine along the base of the tail on both sides, which folds into the fish, pointing anteriorly towards the head. During defense and aggression, tangs flick the spine at other fish or intruders, causing physical harm. The surgeonfish are named for this scalpel-like spine.

Its primary diet consists mostly of vegetable matter but occasionally includes the flesh of other animals. Sohal tangs have been known to nip at clam mantles and soft large-polyp and small-polyp stony corals.

Its range includes all reef environments in the Red Sea, up to at least 90 feet in depth. It is one of the most aggressive tangs, and combined with its large size for a tang, is a dominant fish along the Red Sea reef.

In the aquarium

General information

This fish needs a lot of swimming space and is a constant grazer for marine macroalgae. Its innate dominant and aggressive nature suggest only a single specimen should be kept in each aquarium. If healthy, aquarium specimen should live up to 10-15 years.

Specimen Selection

Alertness, swimming behavior and breathing rate should be the main factors when choosing the ideal Sohal Tang. Smaller specimens ~3 inch or more should be considered as it is better able to adapt to the aquarium environment and diet. Specimen's color should not be considered an important factor when selecting appropriate specimen.

An ideal specimen should be alert and curious, constantly swimming, breathing should be constant and show sign of aggressiveness to other tankmates.

Disease Prevention/Care

An aquarium size of more than 100 gallons, with strong water movement and ample liverock structures are preferred for this species, due to its constant roaming nature. Due to its aggressive nature, this species should be added to the aquarium last.

Initial purchase should be Freshwater Dipped and quarantine in a designated Quarantine Tank (QT), with similar/identical water parameter. It is suggested the Quarantine Tank water should be of lower salinity as this will eliminate most ectoparasites on the body of the fish. When specimen is fully quarantined, it then can be introduced to the display aquarium.

Sohal Tang's diet should consist primarily of Algae or vegetable matter. It has been suggested that "Sushi Nori" can be the main diet of this fish. Other than Algae, the diet should be supplemented with a variety of frozen Mysis shrimps or other similar food items.

Please note, this specimen is a constant grazer which will scrap off marine algae in the aquarium. It is therefore recommended that it be fed several times each day.

Regal tang

Regal tang by beest

Regal tang by beest

Paracanthurus hepatus, commonly known as the regal tang, is an average-sized colorful reef fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae. A popular fish in marine aquaria, it is the only member of the genus Paracanthurus. A number of common names have been attributed to the species, including but not limited to palette surgeonfish, blue tang (leading to easy confusion with the Atlantic Acanthurus coeruleus), royal blue tang, hippo tang, flagtail surgeonfish and blue surgeonfish.

Paracanthurus hepatus has a royal blue body, yellow tail, and black 'palette' design. The lower part of the body is yellow in the west-central Indian Ocean. It grows to a maximum length of about 31 cm (12.25 in.).

The regal tang is found readily in most aquarium stores. As juveniles, they require an aquarium of at least 40 gallons, but as adults, will require at least a 70 gallon tank. They will eat many frozen fish foods such as mysids and krill. Adults will also nibble on algae and nori. As with most tangs, having more than one in a small aquarium can cause stress, which can lead to injury from fighting. This fish is reef compatible, therefore will not eat your corals, anemones, etcetra. Blue tangs get up to one foot long and will not have stunted growth in an aquarium, as gold fish do.