Acanthurus sohal
Due to variations within species, your item may not look
identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between
individual specimen
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Color Form: Black, Blue,
Green, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78?
F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1' 4"
Origin: Red Sea
Family: Acanthuridae
Minimum Tank Size: 250
gallons
The Sohal Tang is a hardy and generally reef safe fish
that can be challenging due to its potential size and aggressive nature. The
Sohal's alluring beauty of contrasting and sometimes vermiculated stripes
alternate from light to dark with most of its fins being jet black with
electric blue outlining them. There is also a patch of orange post gill plate
and on the peduncle where the Sohal's sharp, boney "scalpel" lies.
Sohal Tangs can be found in the Western Indian Ocean from
the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf where they inhabit reef flats.
Sohal Tangs can be very aggressive and should not be kept
with other Tangs. They tend to be well-behaved with old tank mates but can be
very aggressive to any new additions. They are only suited for large aquariums
with other fish capable of handling their aggressive and domineering behavior.
They do well in very large reef systems with no other Tangs, and plenty of
swimming room. It is recommended that they be the last fish introduced into the
aquarium since they can be extremely territorial and aggressive toward tank
mates. Due to its potential large size of 14? to 16? an aquarium of 250 gallons
or more is recommended to properly house a Sohal Tang.
Although Tangs will eat meaty foods such as enriched
brine and mysis shrimp, it is recommended that Tangs are offered plenty of
marine based seaweed and algae. Algae based diets are important for the Sohal?s
overall health and longevity and should be fed regularly. High quality flake
and pellet foods will also be accepted