{"product_id":"eye-line-surgeonfish","title":"Eye Line Surgeonfish | Acanthurus nigricauda","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Eye Line Surgeonfish is an active, algae-grazing tang named for the dark line that runs back from the eye. Reaching around 40 cm as an adult, it is a large, powerful swimmer that brings constant motion to a big reef or fish-only system. Give it plenty of open water and grazing surfaces and it makes a hardy, rewarding display fish for the experienced keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species ranges widely across the Indo-Pacific, grazing over reef flats, lagoons and seaward slopes. It spends its day roaming in search of algae and detritus, covering a lot of ground as it feeds. In the aquarium it needs a large footprint with long, open swimming lanes, mature live rock for grazing and stable, well-oxygenated water. Because of its adult size and activity, floor length and total volume both matter a great deal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is a deep brown to charcoal, marked by the distinctive dark eye-line and often a pale or dark patch near the tail base, with the sharp scalpel-like spine on either side of the caudal peduncle common to all surgeonfish. The adult size of around 40 cm should be considered carefully before purchase. Healthy specimens are full through the body, graze constantly and show no signs of a pinched belly, which can indicate a fish that is not feeding well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as semi-aggressive, particularly toward other tangs and surgeonfish or fish of similar shape and colour. It generally mixes well with unrelated species in a large system but should usually be the only tang unless the aquarium is very big and introductions are managed carefully. Handle with care, as the caudal spines are sharp and can inflict a nasty cut. Provide plenty of space to reduce territorial disputes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is primarily a herbivore. The bulk of its diet should be marine algae and dried seaweed (nori) offered on a clip, supplemented with spirulina-based foods, quality herbivore pellets and occasional meaty items such as mysis. Frequent grazing is important for digestion and long-term health, so feed several times a day and maintain natural algae growth on the rockwork where possible. A well-fed tang holds better colour and resists disease more effectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 700 L, with 1000 L or larger recommended given the adult size and activity level. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Strong water movement, high oxygen levels, efficient skimming and regular water changes suit this active grazer. Surgeonfish can be prone to whitespot when stressed, so stable conditions, good nutrition and a quarantine routine are worthwhile. This is an intermediate species whose main demand is space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not achieved in the home aquarium. Surgeonfish are broadcast spawners that release eggs and sperm into open water, and their tiny pelagic larvae drift for weeks before settling. Rearing them requires specialised planktonic feeds and facilities beyond the home hobby, so the keeper's focus should be on space, diet and water quality rather than reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus nigricauda\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEye Line Surgeonfish (Epaulette Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reef flats, lagoons and slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years or more with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially to other tangs\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\u003e700 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1000 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, nori and herbivore preparations\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°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\u003eLarge reef and FOWLR systems with swimming room\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 large wrasses, angelfish, rabbitfish, clownfish, groupers and other robust reef or FOWLR fish that share its need for space, along with corals and most invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs or surgeonfish in all but very large aquariums, and avoid very timid fish that may be intimidated by its size and activity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234143551779,"sku":"AA3762-S","price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234143584547,"sku":"AA3762","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234143617315,"sku":"AA3762-L","price":140.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351948345635,"sku":"AA3762-XL","price":160.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562723492131,"sku":"AA3762-S-IMP","price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562723524899,"sku":"AA3762-M-IMP","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562723557667,"sku":"AA3762-L-IMP","price":140.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562723590435,"sku":"AA3762-XL-IMP","price":160.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/eye-line-surgeonfish-43090655215907.webp?v=1790306133","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/eye-line-surgeonfish","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}