Tangs Fish (Surgeonfish / Tang Fish)
Tangs are a group of colorful saltwater fish that belong to the Acanthuridae family, also known as surgeonfish or doctorfish. They are very popular in marine aquariums due to their bright colors, active swimming behavior, and reef compatibility.
Key Features of Tangs:
- Appearance: Slender, oval-shaped bodies with vibrant colors like blue, yellow, purple, and orange.
- Scalpel Spine: They have a sharp, retractable spine (like a surgeon’s scalpel) near the tail, used for defense.
- Diet: Primarily herbivores, feeding on algae in the wild. In aquariums, they eat seaweed (nori), algae-based foods, and some meaty foods.
- Behavior: Active swimmers; they need lots of open space in tanks.
- Tank Requirement: Minimum 75–150 gallons depending on species, as they grow medium to large (6–15 inches).
- Temperament: Generally peaceful but can be territorial with other tangs.
Popular Species of Tangs:
- Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) – Also called Regal Tang or “Dory” from Finding Nemo.
- Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) – Bright yellow, very hardy, and common in aquariums.
- Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus) – Brown body with golden stripes, great algae eaters.
- Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon) – Stunning blue body with black face mask and yellow fins.
- Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum) – Large dorsal fin and striped body pattern.
Care Tips:
- Provide large tanks with strong water flow and live rock for grazing.
- Keep stable water parameters: pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C, salinity 1.020–1.025.
- Feed a variety of algae-based foods to keep them healthy.
- Avoid keeping multiple tangs of the same species unless the tank is very large.