Lieutenant Tang

🐟 Lieutenant Tang (Acanthurus tennenti) — Species Overview** A striking, streamlined surgeonfish from the Indian Ocean, the Lieutenant Tang is admired for its clean silver‑blue body and distinctive facial markings. It’s a hardy grazer with a calm demeanor compared to many tangs, making it a refined addition to large reef systems. 🌏 Distribution & Habitat Range: Indian Ocean — Sri Lanka, Maldives, southern India, and surrounding reefs. Habitat: Shallow coral reefs and lagoons with abundant algae growth. Depth: Typically 3–30 meters. Behavior: Active swimmer; grazes continuously on algal films and detritus. 🎨 Appearance Body color: Pale silver‑blue to gray with subtle lavender undertones. Markings: Two dark diagonal stripes across the face (like a “lieutenant’s insignia”). Yellow to orange highlights near the dorsal and caudal fins. Scalpel spine at the base of the tail, characteristic of surgeonfish. Size: Up to 10 inches (25 cm) in captivity. Shape: Deep‑bodied, laterally compressed, with a pointed snout and continuous dorsal fin. 💧 Aquarium Care Minimum tank: 125 gallons or larger; ample swimming space is essential. Water parameters: Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C) Salinity: 1.023–1.025 pH: 8.1–8.4 Flow: Moderate to strong; tangs thrive in oxygen‑rich, high‑turnover systems. Lighting: Moderate to bright reef lighting supports natural grazing behavior. 🍃 Diet Primarily herbivorous, but benefits from varied nutrition. Feed: Dried nori sheets (daily) Spirulina‑based pellets Frozen herbivore blends Occasional mysis or brine shrimp for protein enrichment Encourage natural grazing by maintaining live rock with algal growth. 🧠 Temperament & Compatibility Generally peaceful, though may spar with other tangs of similar shape. Best kept singly unless housed in very large systems. Compatible with: Angels Wrasses Clownfish Gobies Reef‑safe invertebrates Avoid mixing with Acanthurus species of similar coloration (e.g., Powder Blue Tang). 🩺 Health & Maintenance Hardy when acclimated properly. Sensitive to ich (Cryptocaryon) — maintain stable salinity and quarantine new arrivals. Requires constant grazing; underfeeding leads to stress and aggression. Lifespan: 10+ years in well‑maintained aquaria.