Acanthurus fowleri

de Beaufort, 1951

Fowler’s Tang/Surgeonfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, south to the Solomon Islands and northwestern Australia.

Size: 18 inches (45 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits seaward reef slopes and drop-offs and usually found at depths between 6 - 65 feet (2 - 20 m) where it feeds mainly on algal film covering sponges.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes with a brownish body with blue on the head with a blue line arching behind the eye, yellow dorsal, and a white lyre accent on the tail. Colors vary depending upon maturity and areas of collection.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and somewhat turbulent, well-oxygenated water flow.

Requires a varied vegetable diet, including fresh macroalgae, Spirulina, zucchini, broccoli, dried seaweed (Nori), and enriched vegetable flakes, and requires two or three feedings per day. Will browse on filamentous and microalgae.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Acanthuroidei

Family: Acanthuridae

Genus: Acanthurus

FYI: One per tank and a constant grazer.

Has a sharp forward pointing spine on each side of the caudal peduncle, which folds into a groove. Erected when excited. Handle with care!

Should have peaceful, none fin-nipping tankmates.

Can be quite aggressive towards others in the family.

Can be somewhat aggressive if maintained in an aquarium too small for its size.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Herbivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 350 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.5