Clown Tang (Acanthurus lineatus)

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Reef Safe?

True

Invert Safe?

True

Maximum Fish Size

12 inches

Minimum Acceptable Tank Size

75 gallons

Description

The Clown Tang, also known as the Clown Surgeonfish, Lined Surgeonfish, or Blue-banded Surgeonfish, has alternating yellow and blue lines running down the body and a white belly. It is very active and needs a big tank with lots of unobstructed swimming room and clean, highly-oxygenated seawater. Usually slow to begin feeding, it is very susceptible to ich and the aquarist should be prepared for these inevitable infestations. It is capable of instantaneous color change. For example, the head will become dark and the body pale when it attacks intruders. Like most tangs, well-acclimated, comfortable specimens may be aggressive towards close relatives. It typically fares notably better in reef aquariums than in fish only tanks.

Feeding

Herbivore, provide with a varied diet that includes frozen and flake foods for herbivores as well as dried algae sheets.