Surgeonfish (tangs) are easily one of the more popular and recognizable marine fish. Most tangs are primarily herbivorous, roaming the open coastal reef while browsing for vegetation. These very active swimmers cover huge expanses of the reef while feeding.
Many species of tang adapt readily to aquarium life, and can safely be added to a a reef tank. The goal of a responsible aquarist is to provide the optimum environment for the inhabitants of our piece of the ocean. While an optimum environment may never be achieved, the Team RC community has compiled a list of minimum aquarium sizes for the various species of tangs commonly offered to aquarists.
These recommendations are based on the experiences of a myriad of aquarists, both real-life experiences and through observation in the ocean. They are based on the goal of providing an environment that matches the active nature, feeding regimens and growth rates of the tang. If this goal is met, the reward to the aquarist (and more importantly the fish) is long-term health and beauty in the tank.
It must be remembered that tank size is only one factor in the equation. It should be a "given" that the tank provides adequate mature rockwork for grazing, aquascaping that provides both hiding/resting spaces and allows for straight-line swimming in open water, and tank mates that are compatible.
<table align=center><tr><td>
<sup>1</sup> The Achilles Surgeonfish requires a very high flow level, and can pose even more health and feeding problems than other tangs.
<sup>2</sup> These species can be exceptionally aggressive, and require careful planning.
<sup>3</sup> These species are especially prone to infections, and should be watched very carefully in quarantine.[
Many species of tang adapt readily to aquarium life, and can safely be added to a a reef tank. The goal of a responsible aquarist is to provide the optimum environment for the inhabitants of our piece of the ocean. While an optimum environment may never be achieved, the Team RC community has compiled a list of minimum aquarium sizes for the various species of tangs commonly offered to aquarists.
These recommendations are based on the experiences of a myriad of aquarists, both real-life experiences and through observation in the ocean. They are based on the goal of providing an environment that matches the active nature, feeding regimens and growth rates of the tang. If this goal is met, the reward to the aquarist (and more importantly the fish) is long-term health and beauty in the tank.
It must be remembered that tank size is only one factor in the equation. It should be a "given" that the tank provides adequate mature rockwork for grazing, aquascaping that provides both hiding/resting spaces and allows for straight-line swimming in open water, and tank mates that are compatible.
<table align=center><tr><td>
<u> <b></b> </u>
</td><td> <u> <b></b> </u>
</td><td> <u> <b>Min Volume</b> </u>
</td><td> <u> <b>Min Length</b> </u>
</td></tr><tr><td> <u> <b>Species</b> </u>
</td><td> <u> <b>Common Name</b> </u>
</td><td> <u> <b>(gallons)</b> </u>
</td><td> <u> <b>(feet)</b> </u>
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus achilles<sup>1</sup>
</td><td> Achilles Surgeonfish
</td><td> 180
</td><td> 6
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus coeruleus
</td><td> Atlantic Blue Tang
</td><td> 125
</td><td> 6
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus japonicus
</td><td> Powder Brown Tang
</td><td> 125
</td><td> 6
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus leucosternon<sup>2</sup>
</td><td> Powder Blue Tang
</td><td> 125
</td><td> 6
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus lineatus<sup>2</sup>
</td><td> Lined or Clown Surgeonfish
</td><td> 240
</td><td> 8
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus nigricans
</td><td> Whitecheek Surgeonfish
</td><td> 125
</td><td> 6
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus olivaceus
</td><td> Orangeshoulder Surgeonfish
</td><td> 180
</td><td> 6
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus pyroferus
</td><td> Mimic Surgeonfish
</td><td> 75
</td><td> 4
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus sohal<sup>2</sup>
</td><td> Sohal Surgeonfish
</td><td> 350
</td><td> 10
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus triostegus
</td><td> Convict Surgeonfish
</td><td> 125
</td><td> 6
</td></tr><tr><td> Acanthurus tristis
</td><td> Indian Mimic Surgeonfish
</td><td> 75
</td><td> 4
</td></tr><tr><td> Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
</td><td> Chevron Tang
</td><td> 100
</td><td> 5
</td></tr><tr><td> Ctenochaetus striatus
</td><td> Striated Bristletooth Tang
</td><td> 75
</td><td> 4
</td></tr><tr><td> Ctenochaetus strigosus
</td><td> Kole's Tang
</td><td> 75
</td><td> 4
</td></tr><tr><td> Ctenochaetus tominiensis
</td><td> Tomini Tang
</td><td> 75
</td><td> 4
</td></tr><tr><td> Naso brevirostris
</td><td> Spotted Unicornfish
</td><td> 350
</td><td> 10
</td></tr><tr><td> Naso lituratus
</td><td> Orangespine Unicornfish or Naso Tang
</td><td> 240
</td><td> 8
</td></tr><tr><td> Naso unicornis
</td><td> Bluespine Unicornfish
</td><td> 350
</td><td> 10
</td></tr><tr><td> Naso vlamingii
</td><td> Vlamingi Tang
</td><td> 350
</td><td> 10
</td></tr><tr><td> Paracanthurus hepatus<sup>3</sup>
</td><td> Pacific Blue or Regal or Hippo Tang
</td><td> 240
</td><td> 8
</td></tr><tr><td> Zebrasoma desjardinii
</td><td> Indian Ocean or Red Sea Sailfin Tang
</td><td> 240
</td><td> 8
</td></tr><tr><td> Zebrasoma flavescens
</td><td> Yellow Tang
</td><td> 100
</td><td> 5
</td></tr><tr><td> Zebrasoma scopas
</td><td> Brown Tang
</td><td> 75
</td><td> 4
</td></tr><tr><td> Zebrasoma veliferum
</td><td> Sailfin Tang
</td><td> 240
</td><td> 8
</td></tr><tr><td> Zebrasoma xanthurum<sup>2</sup>
</td><td> Purple Tang
</td><td> 120
</td><td> 5
</td></tr></table><sup>1</sup> The Achilles Surgeonfish requires a very high flow level, and can pose even more health and feeding problems than other tangs.
<sup>2</sup> These species can be exceptionally aggressive, and require careful planning.
<sup>3</sup> These species are especially prone to infections, and should be watched very carefully in quarantine.[
