{"product_id":"clown-tang","title":"Clown Tang | Acanthurus lineatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Clown Tang (Lined Surgeonfish) is a stunning fish, its blue and orange lined body flowing across a powerful frame, but it is one of the most demanding surgeonfish in the hobby. It grows large, is highly aggressive, and needs a very big, established system. It is honestly a fish for experienced keepers with the space to match.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Clown Tang is associated with clear, high-energy reef crests and surge zones of the Indo-Pacific, where wave action keeps the water turbulent and oxygen-rich and algae grows thickly. It is a strong, fast swimmer that grazes constantly. Replicating this environment means providing very strong, well-oxygenated flow, mature live rock with abundant algae, and a large expanse of open swimming space. A newly set-up or small aquarium is entirely unsuitable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Clown Tang has a bright orange to blue body crossed by bold blue-edged horizontal lines, with blue-and-yellow fins and a powerful tail. It reaches around 38 cm and is heavily built. Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel near the tail base, and in this species it is used freely, so respect it during any handling. Healthy specimens are alert, richly coloured, grazing constantly and well-filled, without pinched bellies, faded colour or rapid breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as highly aggressive, one of the most belligerent tangs. It is territorial towards other tangs, surgeonfish and similar-shaped or similar-coloured fish, and can bully or even attack a wide range of tank mates and, at feeding, the keeper's hand. It should be one of the last fish added, in a very large system, with robust, dissimilar tank mates. Do not keep it with other tangs unless the system is enormous, and avoid timid or slow fish entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding must be heavily herbivorous and frequent. Offer dried marine algae and nori on a clip continuously, plus algae-based flakes and pellets and prepared herbivore foods several times a day. A constant supply of algae is essential for its health, colour and to temper aggression. Poor or infrequent feeding leads quickly to declining condition and disease in this demanding species. Occasional meaty foods can be offered, but the diet must remain predominantly plant based.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 900 L, with substantially larger, long tanks (around 2 m or more) strongly recommended for swimming room. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Very strong, well-oxygenated, turbulent flow is important. Lighting can be standard reef lighting. Provide open swimming lanes and mature live rock for grazing. Powerful filtration, a large protein skimmer and regular water changes of 10–20% are essential. Clown Tangs are highly prone to white spot and stress-related disease, so pristine, stable water and a quarantine routine are critical. It is considered reef safe, though it may nip LPS if underfed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved and should not be expected. Surgeonfish spawn in open water with drifting planktonic larvae requiring specialised conditions far beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For the experienced keepers who take this fish on, the entire focus should be on space, constant herbivorous feeding, pristine water and managing aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus lineatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClown Tang (Lined Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reef crests and high-energy surge zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e38 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOften 10 years or more with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHighly aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e900 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubstantially larger, long tanks (~2 m+)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; constant marine algae, nori and prepared foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery large, established systems; experienced keepers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe (may nip LPS if underfed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates are robust, dissimilar fish in a very large system, such as large angels, rabbitfish, larger wrasses and other confident species that are not tangs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs and surgeonfish, similar-shaped or similar-coloured fish, timid or slow species, and any setup that cannot provide the large space, strong flow and constant algae this species demands.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234121204003,"sku":"BA8543","price":87.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234121236771,"sku":"AA2188-M-AU","price":97.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234121269539,"sku":"AA2188","price":210.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-38cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55353177440547,"sku":"AA2188-XL-AU","price":342.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55522109391139,"sku":"AA2188-S-IMP","price":69.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562722312483,"sku":"AA2188-M-IMP","price":77.94,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562722345251,"sku":"AA2188-L-IMP","price":167.88,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-38cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562722378019,"sku":"AA2188-XL-IMP","price":274.16,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/clown-tang-43090654953763.webp?v=1790305591","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/clown-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}