| The hit animated children's movie 'Finding Nemo' | | | | Once this fish has settled into the tank it can |
| has made the already popular Blue Tang one of | | | | become a very hardy, long living fish that will bring |
| the most popular saltwater aquarium fish around. | | | | you and the family years of enjoyment. |
| In the movie, one of the main characters is a | | | | The Powder Blue Tang Acanthurus leucosternon is |
| colourful, playful and forgetful Blue Tang named | | | | a fish rarely recommended as it is similar to the |
| Dory. Since the release of this movie it seems | | | | Blue Tang but its success rate in an aquarium is |
| every child wants their own saltwater aquarium | | | | even lower. In many aspects, it is similar to keep |
| with their own Dory and Nemo and every set of | | | | to a Blue Tang but is more susceptible to white |
| parents is faced with the decision of whether to | | | | spot and will die very easily, partly because it is |
| let them have it. This movies has had a massive | | | | not found in Australia and is therefore imported, |
| impact on the aquarium hobby because for the | | | | meaning that it is probably quite stressed by the |
| first time in the eyes of the general public fish are | | | | time it even reaches an aquarium store. It is |
| seen to have a personally. | | | | important that you only buy fish from a retailer |
| So what are Dory and her other Tang friends | | | | that you are confident in and only deals in net |
| really like? | | | | caught fish as this fish comes from the |
| A Tang is an oval shaped fish which is flat if | | | | Indo-Pacific where catching fish using cyanide is |
| viewed from front on. Tangs have a small single | | | | common. |
| spine on each side of their caudal peduncle (just | | | | A big warning to everyone wanting to get this |
| before their tail) that can be extended if required | | | | fish is that once settled it can become very |
| for self defence. Where a Tang has one or more | | | | aggressive. Although it will not grow as fast as a |
| larger spines which are not retractable in the | | | | Blue Tang it can reach up to 25cm. |
| same position, it belongs to the Surgeon family. | | | | The Achilles Tang Acanthurus achillies is one of |
| When these fish fight, they will rapidly slap their | | | | the most sought after and asked about Tangs. |
| tail towards their opponent trying to slash them | | | | Many people will enthusiastically request this fish |
| with their spine. | | | | until they find out how hard it is to get, how |
| The name Tangs or Surgeonfish is a common | | | | expensive it is and how hard it is to keep. In |
| name given to many of these closely related fish | | | | many aspects such as size and survival rate this |
| species. It is commonly accepted that all | | | | fish is quite similar to the Powder Blue Tang only |
| Zebrasoma species are to be called Tang and all | | | | bigger, less aggressive and even harder to keep. |
| species with 2 spines are to be call Surgeonfish, | | | | Its rarity coupled with its low survival rate and |
| while all the other single spined species seem to | | | | very high price means it is recommended only if a |
| be called Tang or Surgeon depending on who you | | | | high quality and over sized UV sterilizer is run on |
| talk to e.g Blue Tang / Blue Surgeonfish. | | | | any display tank housing this fish. The money |
| In an aquarium Tangs are generally a very greedy | | | | saved not having to replace this fish after several |
| fish, accepting a wide variety of foods ranging | | | | attempts to keep it may pay for even the best |
| from flakes, pellets and seaweed to brine shrimp | | | | of UV units, which will benefit your entire tank's |
| and more. These fish are often found grazing on | | | | inhabitants. |
| rocks so one of their major benefits is controlling | | | | The Sailfin Tang Zebrasoma veliferum is a true |
| algae in an aquarium. As they will feed off algae | | | | Tang and a great choice as an aquarium fish as it |
| from the rocks they are able to graze most of | | | | has great colours, is easy to keep and is not too |
| the day, so most species don't need to be fed | | | | expensive because it is easily available in Australia. |
| every day but some active species such as the | | | | This fish can reach 40cm in length so it should be |
| Lipstick Surgeon which don't graze as much, do | | | | allowed adequate room to grow. As with all fish |
| need to be fed more often. Because these fish | | | | their growth will be stunted if kept in a small tank. |
| are so active it is important to ensure that they | | | | This fish is very similar to the more expensive |
| don't lose condition due to under feeding which is | | | | and rarer Red Sea Sailfin Tang Zebrasoma |
| common in many reef aquariums. | | | | desjardinii which is also a great fish to keep in an |
| Tangs can be quite aggressive, mainly to their | | | | aquarium. The Red Sea version has darker |
| own kind or to similar shaped fish. As they are | | | | stronger pattern but is not as common or as |
| territorial, it is important to try to add any Tangs | | | | robust when first introduced. |
| to your aquarium on the same day if possible. | | | | It is rare to see a reef aquarium without a Yellow |
| This way they have an equal chance of | | | | Tang Zebrasoma flavescens; this is because it is |
| establishing territories. If you have to add a Tang | | | | such a wonderful aquarium fish which loves to eat |
| to a tank that has established Tangs in it already, | | | | algae. Its striking yellow colour is unmistakable, |
| then it is a good idea to rearrange the rocks in | | | | along with its boisterous; gluttonous personality it |
| order to disorientate the established fish. It is also | | | | is a must for every reef aquarium. You may |
| safer to add more then one Tang at a time to | | | | recognise the Yellow Tang as "Bubbles" in the |
| divert the attention of any would be aggressors. | | | | movie Finding Nemo, and its inclusion as a |
| These fish often don't do well if kept in pairs as | | | | character has also seen the popularity of this |
| one will regularly dominate the other one they are | | | | Tang increase with the general public. It is |
| best kept singularly or in groups. When one Tang | | | | common to have children in an aquarium store |
| is introduced to another it will usually take about | | | | standing in front of a tank containing a Yellow |
| three days for them to sort out their dominance | | | | Tang calling out to their parents "Look, look its |
| hierarchy before they will get along. The more | | | | Bubbles". |
| size, shape and colour difference the quicker this | | | | Yellow Tangs most commonly come from Hawaii |
| will tend to be. There is always a risk when adding | | | | and can grow to 18 cm in length but normally |
| a Tang to an aquarium with other Tangs as they | | | | much slower than other species of Tang. The |
| may prove incompatible and might even kill each | | | | colour of this fish can become quite patchy at |
| other. | | | | night but it is bright yellow during the day. |
| Tangs are very prone to white spot disease as | | | | This fish tends to be very easy to keep and I |
| they have skin and not scales. It is a good idea to | | | | often find it my first choice when recommending |
| quarantine these fish using medications like copper | | | | a Tang for any aquarium. |
| sulfate or formalin for a period of around 2-3 | | | | The Brown Scopas Tang Zebrasoma scopas is |
| weeks before they are introduced to a display | | | | rarely expensive and is very good to keep as it is |
| tank to reduce the chase of them spreading | | | | very hardy and has all the same behaviours of |
| disease to other fish in your tank. | | | | the Yellow Tang but is a little more shy. This fish |
| It's highly recommended to only introduce Tangs | | | | is commonly available in Australia but not so |
| to a tank with a salinity level as low as 1.018. This | | | | commonly sold because as the name suggests, it |
| low level eases osmotic stress and will reduce the | | | | is not bold in colour, so it is not a prized fish in the |
| risk of white spot infection. If you have a display | | | | hobby. This fish is very good for beginners and |
| aquarium, it is harmless to the corals to drop the | | | | has lovely blue marking if you look up very close |
| salinity over a period of about a week and raise it | | | | to the fish. |
| slowly again over the next week once the fish | | | | The Purple Tang Zebrasoma xanthurus is from |
| have been introduced safely. The corals may not | | | | the Red Sea is very similar to the Yellow Tang |
| open up as well while the salt level is low but will | | | | but much more expensive, rare and aggressive. |
| return to their former glory once the salinity has | | | | Most aquarium stores are lucky to get these fish |
| been slowly returned. | | | | a couple of times a year and the stock sells very |
| Any time these fish do contract white spot, drop | | | | quickly as they are easy to keep and a real |
| the salinity and ensure you feed food high in garlic. | | | | novelty to many patient aquarist. |
| Most good aquarium shops will stock food high in | | | | If you wish to keep a Yellow Tang with a Purple |
| garlic such as New Life Spectrum flakes or | | | | Tang it is worth ensuring that the Yellow Tang is |
| Seachem's Garlic Guard solutions which can be | | | | much larger than the Purple as the Purple will tend |
| added to other foods in order to reduce the | | | | to be more aggressive. Although these fish are |
| susceptibility of a fish are to parasitic infections | | | | commonly kept together it does not always work |
| such as white spot. | | | | as they are aggressive to any other fish that is a |
| Head and lateral line erosion is another common | | | | similar shape to them. Housing more then one of |
| condition with Tangs, which tends to be a problem | | | | these fish per tank is not recommended. |
| with fish that have been kept for many years on | | | | This fish is very susceptible to head and lateral line |
| a low vitamin diet. Fish affected by this condition | | | | erosion, so it is very important to offer it a high |
| will have what appears to be small craters on its | | | | quality varied diet from the start. Though they |
| head or along its lateral line. Increasing the quality | | | | are mostly safely kept in reef tanks, this fish |
| and variety of food offered and specifically | | | | does tend to be rougher on the corals than most |
| targeting the amount of vitamin A in the diet can | | | | Tangs. They will normally only bother a few large |
| see this condition reverse. It is important to do a | | | | polyp species. |
| complete review of water quality and to monitor | | | | Not quite as rare is the subtle but beautiful Kole |
| what the fish is being fed if over time you see | | | | Tang Ctenochaetus strigosus also called the |
| the condition or colour of the fish deteriorate. Just | | | | Yellow Eyed Bristle tooth. This fish is found all |
| because a fish is feeding well in the short term | | | | over the world, grows to 15cm in length and |
| doesn't mean it is getting what it needs in the long | | | | though rarely appreciated by beginners, is very |
| term. You should always monitor the condition of | | | | popular with the intermediate hobbyist that is |
| the fish over time and remember that there is no | | | | prepared to pay a bit more for a lovely fish. This |
| substitute for high quality foods. | | | | fish is a great addition to most tanks as it rarely |
| Tangs can grow very quickly in an aquarium so it | | | | causes any trouble, eats lots of hair algae, gets |
| is important to allow adequate room and plenty of | | | | along with most fish and is not too hard to keep. |
| hiding places as adults range from 15-40cm. Tangs | | | | This fish is a great catch any time it is available. |
| will spend a lot of their day foraging among the | | | | You will rarely ever hear a bad word about them |
| rocks and will very energetically dart around the | | | | from anyone. |
| aquarium and especially in and out of the rocks. A | | | | A large male Lipstick Surgeon Naso lituratus can |
| good cover of rocks is important to these fish to | | | | get to 50cm and has long parallel whips on the |
| ensure they have a dark place they can escape | | | | top and bottom of its tail making it a very striking |
| into to feel safe if they are stressed. Having a | | | | sight. This fish is very reef safe and will do best in |
| dark safe place will allow a fish that is stressed to | | | | a large aquarium; they even do well as a pair as |
| calm down faster thereby helping it to maintain its | | | | they is rarely aggressive. This fish is often hard to |
| immune system and prevent it from developing | | | | keep in the long term because even when this |
| diseases. | | | | fish does seem to be feeding, it may still die of |
| Some of the most popular Tangs are the Blue | | | | starvation over time. It is a large, active fish that |
| Tang, Powder Blue Tang, Sailfin Tang, Yellow | | | | often consumes low nutrient foods so nutrition is |
| Tang, Purple Tang, Brown Scopas Tang, Achilles | | | | the biggest concern for this fish. When this fish is |
| Tang, Kole Tang, Lipstick Surgeon and Orange | | | | stressed it will often swim erratically and not feed. |
| Shoulder Tang. | | | | This drain of energy is a very common cause of |
| The Blue Tang Paracanthurus hepatus is also | | | | death with this species. Products like Stresscoat |
| known as a Regal Tang and is a common salt | | | | which contain Aloe Vera do tend to have a |
| water fish found on coral reefs often in large | | | | calming effect on these types of high stress fish. |
| schools feeding on algae or zooplankton. The Blue | | | | Any fish that swim erratically instead of hiding |
| Tang is without a doubt the most popular species | | | | when they are stressed are always at a |
| of Tang, its bold colour and boisterously active | | | | disadvantage in an aquarium. In order to maintain |
| nature making it a temptation for every hobbyist. | | | | this fish for an extended period of time you need |
| This fish is very widely available, and is found on | | | | to ensure it is receiving adequate high quality |
| many reefs in the world, most commonly | | | | foods, and feeding at least twice a day. There is |
| Australian. It is gluttonous, fast growing and it can | | | | a slightly more expensive Blonde version from |
| get to about 30cm long. | | | | Hawaii which has a yellow stripe on the top of the |
| This fish is well know for it choice of sleeping | | | | fish in place of the normal black one. |
| arrangements as it will often tuck into some of | | | | I will rarely recommend this fish, although it is a |
| the most bazaar and uncomfortable looking | | | | very good selling fish because of its charm. I do |
| positions when it retreats for the night, often at | | | | suggest that you make sure that the fish is |
| the same time each day regardless of whether | | | | feeding before you purchase it. |
| the light is on or off. Another behavior common | | | | Finally, the Orange Shoulder Tang Acanthurus |
| to this fish is a habit of lying on the bottom of | | | | olivaceus is a very large, common, easy to keep, |
| the tank like it is dead. This is often pointed out to | | | | trouble free Tang from Australia and perfect for |
| me by children while I am working in an aquarium | | | | any aquarium. When this fish is small it exhibits a |
| retail store. The children will often say "Excuse me | | | | beautiful orange colour but as it grows it takes on |
| Sir, the fish over there is dead" and sure enough | | | | more of a dull greenish colour with an orange |
| every second time it is just a Blue Tang practicing | | | | shoulder. Despite their fading colour, these fish still |
| it's strange resting habit. With a small tap on the | | | | sell quite well because they are normally |
| glass, the children are happy to see the fish jump | | | | reasonable priced when sold in Australia |
| up hoping to get a feed. | | | | There are many fish in the Tang and Surgeon |
| Careful consideration must be given before adding | | | | family that are worth considering as additions to |
| this fish as it gets white spot very easily and | | | | you tank. Size, hardiness, aggression, rarity and |
| therefore quarantining is highly recommended. A | | | | price are all factors which need to be taken into |
| Blue Tang should only be introduced to a tank | | | | account in your decision making. |
| with a low salt level. | | | | |