Characteristics , Origin , and Helpful Information for hobbyist
AlSimonov / Getty Images
Convict Tangs(Acanthurus triostegus)might not be the most colorful saltwater fish you’re able to find , but with their gimcrack stripes and charming personality , these surgeonfish can be marvellous additions to the proper saltwater armored combat vehicle . The black chevron on this tang harken to an old - fashioned prison house jump suit , hence the name Convict Tang . In the natural state , Convict Tangs survive in big schools and spend their days foraging for food , namely seaweed / marine alga . Convict Tangs can be aggressive toward other tangs and Pisces the Fishes of similar body character , but they are typically peaceful with other nonaggressive fish .
Credit:AlSimonov / Getty Images
Species Overview
Common Names : Convict Tang , Convict Surgeonfish
Scientific Name : Acanthurus triostegus
Adult Size:8 inches
Life Expectancy : 5 to 7 age
Characteristics
Origin and Distribution
The Convict Tang is a widespread metal money found in tropical waters throughout the creation , including the Indo - Pacific , the Hawaiian Islands , the easterly Pacific ( Dixieland from the Gulf of California through Mexico down to Panama , including the Revillagigedo Islands , Clipperton Island and the Galapagos Islands ) . They hold out in shallow reef areas where the provender mainly on leatherneck algae growing on the reef . Convict Tangs are oft collected for the aquarium trade in Hawaii and other contribution of the South Pacific .
Colors and Markings
The Convict Tang has a white or silver physical structure with six black perpendicular stripes . The top of the dorsal fin is painted with a pop music of yellow . Convict Tangs can originate up to about 8 column inch long , but many puerile Convict Tangs available for purchase are minuscule , ranging from less than an column inch to about 6 inches long .
Tankmates
consider Witwatersrand secure , Convict Tangs can be a in effect choice for a large saltwater aquarium , whether a residential district Witwatersrand fish tank or a fish only tank . Convict Tangs can cohabitate peacefully with most other peaceful fish , but these Pisces may have issues with other surgeonfish , as well as with Pisces the Fishes that have a exchangeable body type like angel shark or butterflyfish . Some aquarists find that it is possible to house more than one tang together provide that the tankful is turgid enough ( at least 100 Imperial gallon ) , the tank is not overcrowded with too many fish and the Pisces are introduced to the thank in the correct order ( when adding Pisces , always introduce the most aggressive species last ) . At the end of the twenty-four hours , though , the success of keep more than one tang together in a seawater aquarium bet on the private Pisces the Fishes call for .
In the state of nature , Convict Tangs are schooling Pisces . It ’s possible to keep several Convict Tangs together in a big and farseeing tank , preferably a Witwatersrand tank with lots of unrecorded careen and hiding blank space . If you want to try this , inclose all of the Convict Tangs at the same time for the best results . take down that success in continue a group of Convict Tangs like this diverge ; some Convict Tangs will oppose even in very orotund tanks .
Convict Tangs do not tend to bother invertebrates like crabby person and peewee , and by and large leave corals alone as long as they are getting enough to eat . They will range on unsightly alga acquire in the storage tank , making them excellent housekeeper .
Convict Tang Habitat and Care
Convict Tangs are natator . In their natural habit , Convict Tangs swim in schools , traversing the reefs all day as they graze on alga . In captivity , Convict Tangs postulate plenty of space for swimming . Although thenumber of congius of the tankis important , as significant is the distance of the army tank . To allow enough space for swim , Convict Tangs should be put up in tank that are a lower limit of 100 gallons ( the bigger the better ) and a lower limit of 6 pes in length . Tanks this size and larger are idealistic for all fish , but particularly piquancy because it avoid crowding and territorial pettifoggery with other fish , particularly other tangs .
Convict Tang Diet and Feeding
Tangs are more or less delicate and prone to developing disease — keeping them well - nurture can help them fight off potential infection . savour are primarily herbivore , although many Convict Tangs also enjoy eating meaty intellectual nourishment like mysis prawn and brine shrimp . In gain to meaty food , feed lots of maritime alga and seaweed based food ( frigid , snowflake or pellet ) to keep your Convict Tang plump and respectable . Many tangs know spirulina flakes and dried nori on a pay heed vegetable clip . Some aquarists care to souse nori and other marine - establish food in a vitamin supplement made specifically for nautical Pisces to bolster health . If your tankful contains live rock , the Convict Tang will browse on alga growing on the rocks . When well fed , Convict Tangs will generally leave red coral alone , but hungry Convict Tangs have been get it on to plunk at turgid polyp stony ( LPS ) corals .
Gender Differences
Male and female Convict Tangs do not have discernable strong-arm differences .
Breeding of the Convict Tang
Convict Tangs do not multiply readily in captivity as their fry are free floating in the planktonic leg for several month and tend to be sucked up into aquarium filters . In their nature habitat , Convict Tangs are grouping spawners . At dusk , diminished groups of Convict Tangs will separate from the with child group . The females will release testicle into the open water supply and the males will fertilise them . The Convict Tang larvae float along with plankton for approximately two calendar month , after which time they make their mode to sheltered places like tide kitty where they are semi - protected as they go along to develop . Once prominent enough , juvenile Convict Tangs will venture out and link a school of other Convict Tangs .
More Pet Fish Breeds and Further Research
If you like the Convict Tang , and you are interested in similar fish mintage for your seawater aquarium , understand up on :
Check out extra fish mintage profiles for more information on othersaltwaterfish .
