Page 240 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

238 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

Acanthurus sohal Paracanthurus hepatus
Sohal Surgeonfish Blue Tang

ORIGINS Also known as the Red Sea Clown Surgeon ORIGINS Ranges widely from East Africa through
because it is confined to the waters of the Red Sea. the Indian Ocean and across much of the Pacific.
SIZE 15 ⁄4 in (40 cm). SIZE 10 in (25 cm).
3
DIET Primarily plant-based foods. DIET Mainly vegetarian.
WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Intolerant of its own kind. TEMPERAMENT Do not mix with any related fish.
The striking coloration and patterning of the
Blue Tang, as well as the relative ease with which
it can be kept, have made it a firm favorite with
aquarists. The markings are distinctive, with a
black stripe running through the eye to the tail on
each side of the body, and looping around beneath
to create a blue oval bordered by black. The tail is
yellow, with black edging at top and bottom. On the
reef, small shoals of Blue Tangs can be seen
feeding in areas of profuse algal growth. However,
Closely set, horizontal, yet slightly wavy lines they will be less social in the confines
along the body help to identify this fish, along of an aquarium, unless the tank is very large. It is
with a vibrant orange spine that stands out clearly usually possible to wean these tangs onto
near the base of the caudal peduncle. In spite a variety of foods, but initially they will
of its large size, the Sohal Surgeon is essentially instinctively seek out vegetable matter. Their
vegetarian. It feeds on algae in the wild, and aquarium should therefore be established well in
persuading it to take artificial substitutes may advance of their introduction. It also needs to be
be problematic. Do not mix this fish with other very well lit, in order to ensure continued growth
related species, since it is potentially aggressive. of marine algae on the rockwork and elsewhere.

Zebrasoma xanthurum Zebrasoma flavescens Zebrasoma veliferum
Sailfin Tang Yellow Sailfin Tang Pacific Sailfin Tang

ORIGINS Another member of this group with ORIGINS From the Great Barrier Reef, off Australia’s ORIGINS Much of the tropical Pacific region, eastward
distribution restricted to the Red Sea. eastern coast, across much of the Pacific. from southeast Asia and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
SIZE 8 ⁄2 in (22 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 16 in (40 cm).
1
DIET Mainly vegetarian. DIET Mainly vegetable matter. DIET Vegetable matter, plus some meat-based foods.
WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Intolerant of its own kind. TEMPERAMENT Usually compatible with invertebrates. TEMPERAMENT Not well disposed toward its own kind.
The Sailfin Tang has a relatively oval, The striped patterning of the Pacific Sailfin Tang
disklike shape. The upper part of the body and the High dorsal fin varies markedly through its range, with some
anal fin have a distinctive blue coloration, while individuals being more brightly colored than
the caudal fin is bright yellow. The remainder others. Age is also significant: young fish are
of the body is darker, with speckling on the face, predominantly yellow with dark banding, while
and the pectoral fin behind the gills is edged Beaklike in adults, the color scheme
mouth
with yellow. Like other tangs, the Sailfin is reversed. The tall,
Tang will spend the backward-sloping
day busily seeking dorsal fin above
food, before and the curved
finding a suitable The brilliantly anal fin below
cave where it colored Yellow Sailfin give the Pacific
can shelter Tang has a narrow, flattened Sailfin a
during the body shape. It naturally feeds on disklike
night. algae and will require vegetable substitutes to appearance.
supplement its diet in aquarium surroundings.
When servicing the aquarium, be careful not to
get caught by the white spine, which is located
Pale lips Adult
near the base of the caudal peduncle. coloration

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