Lieutenant Tang

Acanthurus Tangs should be added to aquariums with plenty of swim room and rockwork for grazing and hiding. Tank size should be considered before purchasing as the adult acanthurus Tangs can become quite large. Also known as surgeon fish because of the sharp spine at the base of their tail. This "scalpel" is used for protection, handle carefully as it is very sharp. Considered reef safe but may pick at small, mobile and sessile invertebrates if not well fed. Provide a varied diet of marine meaty and algae based foods. Acanthurus Tangs have been known to be aggressive towards similarly shaped Tangs.

The Lieutenant Tang are also known as the Doubleband Tang. Not often seen in the aquarium trade. Juvenile and adult Lieutenant Tangs will have different colorations and patterns. Juveniles are mainly a yellow gold color as they mature they will begin to turn an orange or olive tan to gray but can darken to a deep brown with red to purple when stressed. There are dark lines that run along the anal fin and the dorsal fin and two dark thick stripes behind its eyes. They can grow to almost 12".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 180 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH