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Convict SurgeonfishConvict Tang

Family: Acanthuridae

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Acanthurus triostegusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Greg Rothschild

     The hardiness and ease of maintenance make the Convict Surgeonfish a good addition to an aquarium for the budding marine enthusiast!

     The Convict Surgeonfish or Convict Tang is not as striking in coloration as many of the tangs you will see and so has not become as popular. However it has proven itself to be one of the easiest tangs to keep. It will quickly adapt to its environment and is quite hardy, a great fish for the beginner.

     An adult Convict Tang can reach up to about 8 inches (20 cm). It is easily identified having a generally white body with six narrow black bars. The dorsal and caudal fin has a light yellowish-green cast.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance difficulty:      The Convict Surgeonfish or Convict Tang is easy to keep.

Maintenance:      It is important that you feed Tangs a good variety of live, frozen, and prepared formula foods with emphasis in vegetable and spirulina. Best to feed small amounts several times a day.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:      Convict Surgeonfish or Convict Tang are found in the entire Indo-pacific from east Africa to Mexico and Panama. They are found at depths up to 90 meters.

Foods:      Mainly found grazing on filamentous algae.

Social Behaviors:      Found in gigantic schools of up to 1000 fish in lagoons with a hard bottom or along outer reefs. Other herbivorous fish may school with them!

Sexual differences:      Unknown.

Light: Recommended light levels:      Found in areas with sunlight.

Breeding/Reproduction:      Probably will not be accomplished in captivity. See the description in the Breeding Marine Fish page.

Temperature:      No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 75 and 79 degrees.

Length/Diameter of fish:      Convict Surgeonfish or Convict Tang adults can grow to 20 cm ( 8 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:      A minimum gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong      No special requirements.

Buy Convict Tang From LiveAquaria.com

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom      Swims all over the aquarium.

Availability:    The Convict Tang or Convict Surgeonfish are regularly available at retailers and are inexpensive. They are priced about $20.00 USD and up.

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Latest Comments
Wonderful addition to my aquarium. Peaceful and full of character. Very easy to care for... required a bit more time up front until adapted to the aquarium feeding "ritual". AD Roth 2005-02-07

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