Clown tang
Acanthurus lineatus
Also known as Lined Surgeonfish, Clown Surgeonfish, Blue-lined Surgeonfish, Pyjama Tang
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 15 in
- 38 cm
- Minimum tank
- 238 gal
- 900 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific from East Africa to the central Pacific, on shallow surge-swept reef crests and flats.
Overview
Only experienced keepers should try this fish, in a tank of at least 900 litres with strong flow, high oxygen and long swimming runs at 24 to 27 C. It is prone to ich and stress if crowded, so it needs pristine water and constant grazing food such as nori, spirulina and macroalgae. Keep it as the only tang and add it last, since it bullies most tankmates. It is reef safe with corals but may nip large-polyp stony corals if underfed.
In the wild
The clown tang lives on the shallowest, most turbulent part of the reef crest and defends a grazing territory fiercely. Its blue and orange stripes are among the boldest of any surgeonfish. Adults are constantly on the move and highly aggressive to similar fish. This is a demanding species that needs pristine water and heavy feeding.
Good to know
Acanthurus lineatus grows to about 38 cm and carries a notably large, venom-associated tail blade. It is one of the more aggressive members of its genus. The species has a wide Indo-Pacific range across surge-zone reefs.
Did you know
Clown tangs ship and acclimate poorly, so a healthy long-term specimen is a real sign of a well-run tank.
Common questions
What size tank does a Clown tang need?
A Clown tang needs at least 238 gal (900 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Clown tang need?
A Clown tang is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Clown tang get?
An adult Clown tang reaches about 15 in (38 cm).
Related species
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