Biafra Doctorfish Care Guide
Prionurus biafraensis is an Eastern Atlantic surgeonfish from the Gulf of Guinea with a compressed grey body and bony caudal plates.
Overview
Prionurus biafraensis, the Biafra doctorfish, is an Eastern Atlantic surgeonfish with a deep, oblong, compressed body, two pale bars on the head and three spines in grooves on each side of the caudal peduncle. It was first described in 1962 as Xesurus biafraensis. FishBase reports a maximum total length of 20 cm, with 15 cm more typical.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acanthuridae
- Genus: Prionurus
- Scientific name: Prionurus biafraensis
Habitat
Restricted to the Eastern Atlantic in the Gulf of Guinea, around Sao Tome Island and along the African coast from Cape Lopez in Gabon to Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo. It is a neritic, littoral species occurring near rocky shorelines at depths of roughly 5-25 m, usually in small groups.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1500 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- dKH: 8-12
- Adult size: 50-60 cm
- Lifespan: 10-25 years
Diet
As an Acanthuridae surgeonfish it is a grazer of algae. In captivity it should receive abundant algal grazing supplemented with marine seaweed and herbivore foods to meet its needs.
Reef compatibility
It grazes algae and does not typically harm corals, but its large adult size and high bioload require a very large system. Maintain specific gravity 1.024-1.026 and dKH 8-12 with strong flow and good oxygenation. This species is rare in the aquarium trade.
Compatibility
Semi-aggressive toward other tangs, particularly those of similar shape. It needs spacious quarters and pairs well with wrasses, clownfish, angelfish and robust triggerfish in large systems.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2010). It is taken in commercial fisheries within its range.