Fowleri Tang (Acanthurus Fowleri)

Species Name : Acanthurus Fowleri

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Blue, Tan, Yellow

Diet : Herbivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Origin : Indonesia and Sumatra

Family : Acanthuridae

Minimum Tank Size : 360 gallons

The Fowleri Tang (Acanthurus Fowleri), also known as the Blackspine Surgeonfish, is one of the more beautiful tropical Tangs.

A blue head with characteristic arcing lines behind the eye sets this species apart from other tangs. A brown body, yellow dorsal fin, and white lyre accent on the tail also make this specimen a true standout.

Tangs are also known as surgeon fish in the industry due to them having a sharp spine that looks like a scalpel at the base of their caudal (tail) fin. They use this as protection against predators, use caution when handling.

 A 360 gallon or larger established aquarium with large amounts of live rock is necessary to provide both plenty of swimming room and territories within the live rock. These are great fish for controlling algae in the saltwater fish or reef aquarium.

The Fowler's Surgeonfish is peaceful in nature and makes a good fish for a community tank, but may turn aggressive towards similar looking species. In the wild, adults tend to live alone, so they should not be housed with fish that look similar, like other tangs.

The Fowleri Tang fish is a herbivore. Its main diet consists of marine algae, having an unusually long digestive tract to digest the plant matter they eat. They are constant feeders and in nature spend most of their day grazing. A habitat with algae growth is good for them, which in turn helps to keep the algae in an aquarium cropped and in check. Provide a varied diet of marine frozen meaty foods and algae-based foods to help strength their immune systems.

Size: 

Small/Medium: 2-3/4" to 3-1/4»  

Medium: 3 1/4" - 4 1/2»  

Large 4 1/2" - 7"