Clown Surgeonfish Introduce the ultimate crown jewel of motion and color to your large marine system. The Clown Surgeonfish features an breathtaking, psychedelic pattern of alternating electric blue and neon yellow horizontal stripes, accented by a striking silvery-white underbelly. This hyper-active swimmer brings unmatched energy and a brilliant splash of color to the open spaces of your aquarium. As a prized member of the Acanthuridae family, this fish is an exceptional algae grazer, but its demanding care requirements and dominant personality make it a reward reserved exclusively for experienced aquarists. Quick Care Specifications Care Level: Expert / Advanced Temperament: Aggressive (Highly territorial) Maximum Size: Up to 11–12 inches in captivity Minimum Tank Size: 250+ Gallons with high water movement Reef Compatibility: Reef-Safe (Excellent coral companion; ignores invertebrates) Water Parameters: 72–78°F, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12, Salinity 1.020–1.025 SG Key Features & Tank Requirements 🌊 High-Flow Open Water Demands Naturally inhabiting surge zones on the outer edges of coral reefs, this fish requires massive amounts of open swimming space and powerful water turnover. Heavy wavemakers and pristine, highly oxygenated water conditions are mandatory for its long-term health. 🗡️ Formidable Tail Scalpels Like all tangs, it possesses razor-sharp, venomous caudal spines on both sides of its tail base. The Clown Tang is notorious for using these aggressively to establish dominance over any fish shaped like it or added to the tank after it. 🌿 Voracious Herbivorous Grazer An absolute powerhouse when it comes to controlling nuisance microalgae on your rockwork. To maintain its lightning-fast metabolism and vibrant colors, feed it sheets of dried seaweed (Nori) daily, alongside spirulina-enriched flakes, pellets, and high-quality frozen herbivore diets. 🛡️ Disease Susceptibility Warning Because they lack a heavy protective slime coat, Clown Surgeonfish are highly susceptible to marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and velvet. A strict quarantine protocol and a high-output UV sterilizer on the main system are strongly recommended to ensure success. 👥 Strict Tank Mate Compatibility Due to its highly territorial nature, it should ideally be the final fish introduced to a large system. Avoid housing it with other Acanthurus species (like the Powder Blue or Achilles Tang) or similarly striped fish, unless the aquarium is exceptionally large (500+ gallons).
