Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Lieutenant Tang, also referred to as the Tennenti Tang, is a fish native to reefs around the Maldive Islands with an overall tan to blue-grey colored body and clean details that make it very eye-catching in a simple way. The body has a dark outline, giving the Lieutenant tang a bold shape, and a striking blue edge along its caudal fin that will appear more forked in time as the trailers of the fin grow out. Finally, the most quirky characteristic of the Lieutenant tang are the paired black lines behind its eye. A juvenile Lieutenant tang may have a yellow tinge in its body, but this color will disappear with age. An adult Lieutenant tang can reach a size of approximately 10″.
Diet Requirements: In the wild tangs are primarily herbivorous. A diet largely consisting of algae-based foods is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal health, coloration, immune function, and reduce aggression. If not, tangs often develop head and lateral line erosion from such deficiencies. Vegetable based flake foods or frozen foods, that may also include spirulina algae, are excellent options. We also recommend offering dried seaweed on a rock or clip three times a week minimum. Lieutenant tangs will consume various other protein-based frozen foods.
Care Requirements: An established minimum 125 gallon aquarium with 18+ inch width is ideal. Smaller specimens can be temporarily raised in smaller quarters (no less than 75 gallons) as long as it is upgraded accordingly. This tang enjoys a variety of rock work and crevices to take refuge, but also should be provided with open swimming space. Lieutenant tangs are often sought after to add to a reef aquarium for their natural tendency to graze upon algae build up. Typically, Lieutenant tangs do not conflict with other tank-mates and aren’t overly territorial in nature. However, Acanthurus often have issue with conspecifics (including other species within the genus) and even other tangs. If you want to house various types of tangs together, especially multiple Acanthurus species, it is best to add them all at once, or closely together at the very least, for the best success. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Small: 2″ to 2-3/4″; Medium: 3″ to 4-1/4″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
