Sohal Tang
Scientific Name : Acanthurus Sohal
Origin : Red Sea
Temperament : Aggressive
Temperature : 72F - 82F
Maximum Size : 16 Inches
Diet : Herbivore
Difficulty : Medium
Reef Safe : Yes
Tank Size : 150 Gallons
The Sohal Tang is a large and splenidly colored species of surgeonfish. They are found in certain areas around the Red Sea and are usually spotted by scuba divers in that region.
Its common names include the Arabian Tang and the Majestic Tang. It has a cream to white body that features horizontal black lines that stretch from its eyes all the way to the back of the surgeonfish.
This is another much sought after surgeonfish that commands a high price. Expect to pay about $140 to over $200 per specimen depending on size. Larger showcase sized Sohal Tangs are the most expensive of the lot. This fish does not last too long when stocks are available as buyers are ready to snap them up at a minutes notice.
Sohal Tangs are some of the most aggressive species of surgeonfish in the family. They know no fear and will quickly become the dominant fish in the tank unless it has larger more aggressive tank mates. They rarely tolerate other members of surgeonfish and will most likely harrass new members of the same species to death.
In the wild, the Sohal Tang is a herbivore that glides along the reef grazing on algae as a pair or alone. This diet should be reflected in the types of food that is given. They do not consume corals and are reef safe.
Offer them a good range of foods with heavy bias on vegetable matter such as seaweed. Mysis shrimp, Krill along with special foods designed for herbivores should be offered daily. A great pellet to offer your Blue tang would be those made by New Life Spectrum. Some good foods (* See Below) to offer are :-
When feeding them seaweed or nori sheets, simply fold the sheet, secure it with a * Seaweed Clip and stick it on the side of the aquarium. The surgeonfish should graze on it throughout the day.
Like all surgeonfish,they are susceptible to marine ich and lateral line erosion. Avoid any specimens that have white spots on them. They should be vigorous and eating well at the store. Always quarantine all new surgeonfish purchases before releasing into the display aquarium.
This fish can reach a length of 16 inches in captivity which is very big as far as ornamental surgeonfish go. They require a tank no less than 150 gallons and will do even better if you can provide a 200 gallon or larger aquarium.
Sohal Tangs are very beautiful, always in demand and expensive. However, they may get to be too aggressive for the liking of some hobbyists.
Back to Surgeonfish, Home.
