VAMPIRE TANG
Acanthurus Tennenti
Photo kindly provided by 'jollybob' - cheers mate
This tang is a real showstopper, with its striking blue and black patterns on a beige background. I mean, who wouldn't want a fish that looks like this in their tank? They're pretty big, too, and usually need to be special ordered.
Tangs in general are super popular, and it's no surprise why - they've got this unique body shape that's just so cool. This particular species hails from the Indo-Pacific Ocean and south of Indonesia. As with most tangs, it's going to need a lot of space to swim around and some serious water movement.
One of the things that sets this tang apart is its colour change from juvenile to adult - it's pretty rare in the tang world. And despite being one of the smaller tangs in its genus, it's still a real head-turner.
Common names for this guy include the Doubleband Surgeonfish and the Spinecircle Surgeonfish.
You're going to want a minimum tank size of 180 gallons for this fish, and be prepared for a semi-aggressive temperament. It's a bit of a territorial beast, and it's going to want to be the top dog in your tank. It's especially aggressive towards other tangs, so if you're planning on keeping multiples, add them at the same time or start with the smallest. Once it's established its territory, it'll calm down a bit.
Feeding-wise, this tang loves its algae and meaty foods. It's a bit of a grazer, so make sure you've got plenty of algae-based foods on hand, like nori seaweed or marine flakes. And don't forget to mix in some meaty foods on a regular basis.
Temperature-wise, just stick to the usual range of 73-80 degrees.
Reef safe? No worries there - this tang is completely safe for your reef tank.
A fully grown Vampire Tang will reach about 10 inches, but some have been known to get even bigger in the wild. Males tend to grow bigger than females.
Hardiness-wise, this fish is pretty hardy as long as you give it plenty of space to swim and feed it right. Just watch out for marine ich - it's prone to it, especially if it's stressed.
Type of species is, of course, Tang.
Breeding this fish in a marine aquarium is unlikely, but hey, you never know.
FISH OF THE WEEK PAGE
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/307 ... try3021102
Who Gives A Fish Forums
PHPBB-BG.INFO⇧
⇩