Black Surgeonfish

[newenglandreef]

Hi--wondering if anyone has any experience with this fish--my LFS sold it as a "chocolate tang," but it's actually a black surgeonfish now that I've investigated... any thoughts? Susceptability to Ich, etc.

[MonopolyBag]

Here is my input, you stated in other posts you have a 36gal corner, DO NOT DO TANGS. Stick with small fish. I would do only like 4 fish max. Too many fish you run into problems and the tank becomes a lot of work. I have learned from experience. Some good fish would be clowns, wrasse, cardinals, and blennies.

Look on LiveAquaria.com as well for nice fish.

[newenglandreef]

I have a 90G that it'll go into when it comes out of juvenile stage... do you know anything about the black surgeonfish?

[BLKBRDTA]

Chevron Tang's are aggressive towards other species of Tang, much like how Sohal's can be very dominating over others as well. Another Tang housed in the same display as this fish is not recommended, even in large displays, the fish may still bully other same-sized and smaller Tangs around. Though they are generally peaceful towards different species of fish, I wouldn't get too comfortable with a shrimp in the same display. Like most if not all Tangs, the Chevron is a constant grazer so macro nutrients should either be sufficient or supplemented into their diet. They grow quickly so feedings should be light and frequent (6 or more times a week.) Yes, this specific fish is just as susceptible to Cryptocaryon irritans as the rest of the lot is. Like Monopoly previously stated, a 36g corner is too small to house this fish even at its juvenile stages. You are better off starting up the 90g and letting it grow freely. Within two years it will be over 8" in length or almost 1/3 the size of your 36g display. Too small of a display and the fish will become stressed, thus lowering its immune defenses and heightening its susceptibility to Ich.

FYI - LFS's sometimes label fish as whatever sounds the catchiest, much like all the names for the seemingly endless variety of frags out there.. Try not to rely on what is posted on their tags as it can be very misleading, I know.

HTH

[newenglandreef]

Thanks for the info Tony, the fish is definitely a constant grazer, but he's been very friendly and hasn't bothered the shrimp at all. I do have a maroon clown that he's aggresive with (or vice versa)...

So I guess I can assume that he's similar to other tangs in most respects? I know this fish was caught in Indonesia.

[nyaquatic]

any chance you can post a picture of it?