{"product_id":"white-freckled-surgeon","title":"White Freckled Surgeon | Acanthurus maculiceps","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe White Freckled Surgeon is a handsome, active tang covered in fine pale freckles across a dark head and body. It is a constant grazer that brings movement and personality to a large reef or fish-only system. This is a big fish, reaching up to around 40 cm, so plan for serious swimming room before buying. It is comparatively peaceful for a surgeonfish but still needs space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is found across the Indo-Pacific on outer reef flats, slopes and surge zones, often in areas with strong water movement and rich algal growth. It spends the day cruising and grazing film algae from rock and hard surfaces. Recreating this in the aquarium means plenty of open swimming space, mature live rock with algae, brisk flow and stable, well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is dark brown to charcoal, densely peppered with small white to pale-yellow spots that concentrate around the face, giving the freckled appearance. A pale band often marks the tail base, and the caudal spine (\"scalpel\") is present at the base of the tail as in all surgeonfish. Its adult size of around 40 cm should be taken seriously. Healthy fish are alert, full-bodied and graze actively, without pinched bellies or laboured breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor a surgeonfish it is relatively peaceful, but it is territorial towards its own kind and other similar-looking tangs, particularly closely related Acanthurus species. It mixes well with a wide range of robust reef and fish-only tank mates when given room. Introduce it to an established tank and avoid housing it with lookalike surgeonfish unless the system is very large.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is primarily a herbivore. Offer dried marine algae (nori) on a clip daily, along with algae-based pellets and frozen preparations for herbivores. Some meaty foods such as mysis are taken and help condition the fish, but vegetable matter must form the bulk of the diet to maintain health and colour. Frequent small feeds suit its grazing nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of 1000 L, with 1500 L or larger strongly recommended given the adult size and need for swimming room. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Provide strong flow, efficient skimming and excellent oxygenation. Mature live rock with grazing surfaces, open swimming space and stable water quality are essential. Surgeonfish are prone to marine ich when stressed, so stable conditions and good nutrition are important.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding does not occur in the home aquarium. Surgeonfish are broadcast spawners that release eggs and sperm into open water, and their pelagic larvae require open-ocean conditions well beyond home-aquarium capability. Keeping efforts should focus on space, diet and water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus maculiceps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite Freckled Surgeon (Spotted-face Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific outer reefs and surge zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 40 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10+ years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRelatively peaceful; territorial to similar 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\u003e1000 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1500 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, algae pellets, some meaty foods\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 fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\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, larger wrasses, angelfish, rabbitfish, groupers, and other robust reef and fish-only species in a spacious system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with closely related or similar-looking Acanthurus surgeonfish in anything but very large tanks, and with small, timid fish that may be outpaced at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234129363235,"sku":null,"price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234129396003,"sku":"AA1349","price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234129428771,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm)","offer_id":55351931994403,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/White_Freckled_Surgeon_Acanthurus_maculiceps_372168f7-fea2-4763-87e7-4cef1925e14e.png?v=1781681545","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/white-freckled-surgeon","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}