{"product_id":"convict-tang","title":"Convict Tang | Acanthurus triostegus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Convict Tang (Convict Surgeonfish) is a hardy, active surgeonfish marked with bold black bars over a silvery-green body, like a little chain gang when kept in a group. It is one of the more peaceful and manageable tangs and an excellent natural algae-grazer for a larger reef or fish-only system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Convict Tang is associated with shallow reef flats and rocky reefs of the Indo-Pacific, often grazing in large schools over algae-covered rock, sometimes near freshwater run-off. Replicating this environment means providing mature live rock with algae for grazing, open swimming space and good, well-oxygenated flow. A settled aquarium with established algae growth suits it best, and it can even be kept in a small group in a large tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Convict Tang has a silvery to pale-green body crossed by five or six bold black bars, with the disc-shaped surgeonfish body. It reaches around 27 cm. Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel near the tail base. Healthy specimens are alert, grazing actively and well-filled through the body, without pinched bellies, cloudy eyes or rapid breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as relatively peaceful for a tang, and it is one of the few surgeonfish that can be kept in a small group, especially if introduced together in a large tank. Suitable companions include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other reef fish. It is generally less aggressive than many tangs but may still spar with very similar species. Add it to a settled aquarium with generous swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be predominantly herbivorous. Offer dried marine algae and nori on a clip, algae-based flakes and pellets, and a rotation of prepared herbivore foods, ideally several small feeds through the day. Natural algae in the tank supplements the diet. Occasional meaty foods such as mysis shrimp can be offered, but the diet should remain mostly plant based to maintain colour, condition and a healthy immune system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 450 L, with 680 L or larger recommended, especially for a small group. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Good, well-oxygenated flow is important. Lighting can be standard reef lighting. Provide open swimming space and mature live rock for grazing. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended. Surgeonfish are prone to white spot, so stable water quality and a quarantine routine are advised. This species is considered reef safe.\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 hobbyists, the focus should be on long-term health, correct herbivorous feeding, excellent water quality and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus triostegus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConvict Tang (Convict Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific shallow reef flats and rocky reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e27 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\u003eRelatively peaceful for a tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e680 L or larger (especially for a group)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, nori and algae-based 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\u003eEstablished reef and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\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 include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other reef fish, and it can be kept in a small group in a large tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very similar surgeonfish in smaller tanks, highly aggressive fish that will harass it, and avoid adding it to newly set-up tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234123170083,"sku":"BA9163","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234123202851,"sku":"AA1991","price":102.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234123235619,"sku":"AA1991-L-AU","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-27cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55353177538851,"sku":"AA1991-XL-AU","price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562750755107,"sku":"AA1991-S-IMP","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562750787875,"sku":"AA1991-S-CB","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562750820643,"sku":"AA1991-M-IMP","price":102.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562750853411,"sku":"AA1991-M-CB","price":102.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562750886179,"sku":"AA1991-L-IMP","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562750918947,"sku":"AA1991-L-CB","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-27cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562750951715,"sku":"AA1991-XL-IMP","price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-27cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562750984483,"sku":"AA1991-XL-CB","price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/convict-tang-43090655019299.webp?v=1790305844","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/convict-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}