Sohal Tang Care Guide
Acanthurus sohal is a Red Sea and Persian Gulf surgeonfish with black-and-pale stripes and blue fin margins, very territorial, reaching 40 cm.
Overview
Acanthurus sohal, the sohal surgeonfish of the family Acanthuridae, has a body marked by longitudinal black stripes separated by paler greenish stripes, black fins with vivid blue margins, an orange patch beneath the pectoral fin and an orange caudal peduncle sheath. FishBase records a maximum total length of 40 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acanthuridae
- Genus: Acanthurus
- Scientific name: Acanthurus sohal
- Described by: Forsskål, 1775
Habitat
The species is marine and reef-associated in the Western Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea east along the Arabian Peninsula to the Persian Gulf. It favours seaward edges of reefs exposed to surge, with FishBase recording depths usually of 0-20 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1500 L (396 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
Acanthurus sohal is a herbivorous grazer, feeding on algae including Sargassum and fine filamentous green algae. In aquaria it requires frequent offerings of marine algae and dried seaweed.
Compatibility
Acanthurus sohal is an aggressive, highly territorial diurnal swimmer that controls food resources and patrols territory boundaries. It is suited only to very large systems with robust tankmates such as wrasses, clownfish, angelfish and sturdy triggerfish, while other tangs of similar shape must be avoided. The caudal-peduncle spine has been reported to bear venom.
Reef compatibility
The species does not eat coral and is considered reef-safe, though 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.