Where to buy Whitebar Surgeonfish
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About Whitebar Surgeonfish
The Whitebar Surgeonfish is a small, compressed tang with a primarily dark gray to brownish body. It is distinguished by prominent white vertical bars (4–5) running across the head and body, particularly noticeable behind the gill covers. Like all acanthurids, it possesses a sharp, venomous spine (scalpel-like blade) on each side of the caudal peduncle.
Key facts
- Common Health Issues
- Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans), marine velvet, head and lateral line erosion (HLLE), fin damage from aggression
- Appearance
- The Whitebar Surgeonfish is a small, compressed tang with a primarily dark gray to brownish body. It is distinguished by prominent white vertical bars (4–5) running across the head and body, particularly noticeable behind the gill covers. Like all acanthurids, it possesses a sharp, venomous spine (scalpel-like blade) on each side of the caudal peduncle.
- Diet Details
- In captivity, feed high-quality herbivorous preparations including nori, spirulina, and marine algae sheets daily. Supplement with occasional meaty foods and quality pellets, though the diet should remain primarily vegetable-based to maintain health and coloration.
- Reef safety
- Reef Safe
- Care Requirements
- • Minimum 75-gallon tank; larger preferred • SG 1.020–1.025, pH 8.1–8.4, temp 72–78°F • Strong water flow, excellent filtration, regular water changes • Live rock for grazing; meaty + algae-based diet • May be aggressive toward other surgeons; monitor for ich stress
- Temperament
- Semi Aggressive
- Min tank size
- 75 gallons
- Difficulty Level
- Moderate difficulty. The Whitebar Surgeonfish requires stable water conditions, adequate space to establish territory, and a diet rich in vegetable matter. It can become aggressive toward conspecifics and similar-shaped fish, and its venomous spines demand careful handling during tank maintenance.
- Diet
- herbivore
- Care Level
- Moderate
- Feeding Schedule
- 1-2 times daily
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific region, ranging from East Africa and the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef and the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Found in reef environments at depths from 5 to 60 meters.
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