Where to buy Brown Surgeonfish
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About Brown Surgeonfish
The Brown Surgeonfish has a uniformly dark brown to grayish-brown body with a slightly compressed, oval profile. It possesses the characteristic venomous spine (scalpel-like caudal peduncle) typical of the Acanthuridae family, and a small white linear mark on the caudal peduncle may be visible in some individuals.
Key facts
- Min tank size
- 90 gallons
- Difficulty Level
- The Brown Surgeonfish is moderately challenging due to its requirement for a spacious, well-established reef aquarium with excellent water quality and appropriate tankmates. It is generally hardier than some surgeonfish species but still demands careful acclimation and stable conditions.
- Care Level
- Moderate
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Common Health Issues
- Ich (white spot disease), marine velvet, fin erosion, nutritional deficiencies from inadequate algae consumption
- Appearance
- The Brown Surgeonfish has a uniformly dark brown to grayish-brown body with a slightly compressed, oval profile. It possesses the characteristic venomous spine (scalpel-like caudal peduncle) typical of the Acanthuridae family, and a small white linear mark on the caudal peduncle may be visible in some individuals.
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa through Southeast Asia to the Hawaiian Islands and Polynesia, typically found on coral reef slopes at depths of 5–50 meters.
- Diet Details
- Feed high-quality herbivorous preparations including dried macroalgae (nori), spirulina flakes, and vegetable-based pellets daily. Supplement with fresh blanched vegetables and frozen herbivore preparations to maintain optimal nutrition and coloration.
- Reef safety
- Reef Safe
- Temperament
- Semi Aggressive
- Care Requirements
- • Minimum 90 gal with strong flow and open swimming space • pH 8.1–8.3, sg 1.023–1.025, temp 72–78°F • Coral-safe; grazes algae; feed nori, spirulina, and quality pellets daily • Aggressive toward other surgeontail tang species; can nip LPS coral • Prefers deeper water; prone to ich—quarantine recommended
- Feeding Schedule
- 1-2 times daily
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