Lieutenant Tang
Acanthurus tennenti
Suggested Tank
681+ liters
Max Size
30 cm
Difficulty
Temperament
Description
A large, oval-bodied surgeonfish with a dusky olive-brown to bluish-grey body, a bright yellow-edged caudal fin, and the distinctive pair of curved black 'lieutenant's stripes' behind the eye above the pectoral fin. Adults are active open-water grazers that need a long tank with wide swimming lanes plus rockwork for grazing and shelter; they are generally peaceful toward non-tangs but will harass other Acanthurus, so add them last or in a very large system. Feed heavily on algae to prevent lateral line erosion and thin body condition, and handle carefully, the caudal scalpels can inflict deep cuts.
Reef Safe
Yes
Environment
Requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. The water should be well-oxygenated with stable parameters, including a temperature of 72-78°F, pH of 8.1-8.4, and salinity of 1.020-1.025.
Behavior
The Lieutenant Tang is generally active and spends most of its time grazing on algae. It can be territorial, especially towards other tangs, but is otherwise peaceful with other species.
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Lieutenant Tang
Acanthurus tennenti
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