Lined Tang Care Guide
Acanthurus lineatus is a highly territorial Indo-Pacific surgeonfish with black-edged blue and yellow stripes, reaching 38 cm and bearing a venomous caudal spine.
Overview
Acanthurus lineatus, the lined surgeonfish, is one of the most distinctive members of the family Acanthuridae, marked by black-edged blue and yellow longitudinal stripes with yellow head striping and a greyish belly. FishBase records a maximum total length of 38 cm. The species is almost continually in motion.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acanthuridae
- Genus: Acanthurus
- Scientific name: Acanthurus lineatus
- Described by: Linnaeus, 1758
Habitat
The species is marine and reef-associated across the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Mascarene Islands to the Hawaiian, Marquesas and Tuamotu islands, north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. It favours very shallow surge zones, with FishBase recording depths of 0-15 m, typically 1-3 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1000 L (264 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Strong water flow
- Lifespan: 10-25 years
Diet
The lined surgeonfish is mostly herbivorous, grazing algae during the day, but FishBase notes it also feeds on crustaceans. Aquarium specimens should be offered marine algae and dried seaweed several times daily, supplemented occasionally with meaty marine foods.
Compatibility
Acanthurus lineatus is an aggressive, diurnal mid-water swimmer. In the wild, large males control well-defined feeding territories and harems of females. This temperament makes it suited only to very large systems housing robust tankmates such as wrasses, clownfish, angelfish and sturdy triggerfish, while other tangs of similar shape must be avoided. The venomous caudal spine can inflict painful wounds on handlers.
Reef compatibility
The species does not consume coral and is considered reef-safe, although its size and aggression demand a spacious reef. Maintain carbonate hardness of 8-12 dKH and specific gravity of 1.024-1.026.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2010 via FishBase.