Clown Tang

Acanthurus lineatus

Also known as Lined Surgeonfish, Clown Surgeonfish, Blue-lined Surgeonfish, Pyjama Tang

SaltwaterFish

Clown Tang (Acanthurus lineatus) — Zsispeo · CC BY-SA 2.0

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
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Common
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Indo-Pacific from East Africa to the central Pacific, on shallow surge-swept reef crests and flats.
Family: Acanthuridae

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.