Orange Shoulder Tang
Scientific Name: Acanthurus olivaceus
Family: Acanthuridae
About the Orange Shoulder Tang
Species Type: Saltwater Fish
Category: Tangs & Rabbitfish
Care Level: Moderate. Healthy specimens are frequently available for purchase, but stress in shipping does sometimes occur. Will accept dried foods after settling in, but frozen foods or algae grazing sheets may be required initially. After proper quarantine and acclimation to the display, this fish is generally resistant to disease. An overall good choice for the new saltwater hobbyist.
Origin: Pacific
Compatibility/Temperament: The Orange Shoulder Tang is typical of the Acanthurus genus. They are generally a good community fish, provided they are given plenty of space and not kept with other members of the same genus. They also fare well in a reef environment with smaller fish that do not pose a threat. They will generally mix with Tangs outside of their genus, such as the commonly seen Sailfin Tang and Yellow Tang. When keeping more than one Acanthurus species of Tang, it is best to add them at the same time to a much larger aquarium.
Description
The Orange Shoulder Tang will not bother coral or invertebrates, however it may eat desirable marine algae. A fairly easy saltwater fish to acclimate to the home aquarium, but they grow very large compared to most members of the family. For best chance of survival a very large aquarium is recommended, perhaps larger than possible in most homes.
If you are fortunate enough to successfully acclimate a Orange Shoulder Tang to your display tank, they are an attractive fish that swim constantly in view.
Orange Shoulder Tang Diet
Feed a diet rich in vegetable matter including frozen herbivore foods, dried seaweed, or live macro algae. Freeze dried algae sheets should be offered daily.
Size
Reaching up to 18'' as an adult. They are a very fast growing species and sufficient space should be given to allow them to reach adult size in your aquarium.
Minimum Tank Suggestion
220 gallons
Ideal water parameters for Orange Shoulder Tang
Marine fish are highly sensitive animals with very specific care requirements. Most all saltwater species will require similar water conditions, designed to replicate that of natural seawater. Ammonia and nitrite levels should absolute zero, temperature at 76F to 80F, and salinity at 1.024 to 1.026. Although some fish are tolerant of lower levels of Nitrate, the goal in every aquariums should be to keep Nitrate as close to zero as possible, and certainly under 20ppm. Finally, maintaining a stable pH of 8.0 to 8.4 is desired. Achieving this is made easier by monitoring alkalinity, which should be kept at 8-12 DKH, and calcium, which is targeted at 400 to 460ppm.
Contributing Members
The following members have contributed to this profile: Pasfur
Scientific Name: Acanthurus olivaceus
Family: Acanthuridae
About the Orange Shoulder Tang
Species Type: Saltwater Fish
Category: Tangs & Rabbitfish
Care Level: Moderate. Healthy specimens are frequently available for purchase, but stress in shipping does sometimes occur. Will accept dried foods after settling in, but frozen foods or algae grazing sheets may be required initially. After proper quarantine and acclimation to the display, this fish is generally resistant to disease. An overall good choice for the new saltwater hobbyist.
Origin: Pacific
Compatibility/Temperament: The Orange Shoulder Tang is typical of the Acanthurus genus. They are generally a good community fish, provided they are given plenty of space and not kept with other members of the same genus. They also fare well in a reef environment with smaller fish that do not pose a threat. They will generally mix with Tangs outside of their genus, such as the commonly seen Sailfin Tang and Yellow Tang. When keeping more than one Acanthurus species of Tang, it is best to add them at the same time to a much larger aquarium.
Description
The Orange Shoulder Tang will not bother coral or invertebrates, however it may eat desirable marine algae. A fairly easy saltwater fish to acclimate to the home aquarium, but they grow very large compared to most members of the family. For best chance of survival a very large aquarium is recommended, perhaps larger than possible in most homes.
If you are fortunate enough to successfully acclimate a Orange Shoulder Tang to your display tank, they are an attractive fish that swim constantly in view.
Orange Shoulder Tang Diet
Feed a diet rich in vegetable matter including frozen herbivore foods, dried seaweed, or live macro algae. Freeze dried algae sheets should be offered daily.
Size
Reaching up to 18'' as an adult. They are a very fast growing species and sufficient space should be given to allow them to reach adult size in your aquarium.
Minimum Tank Suggestion
220 gallons
Ideal water parameters for Orange Shoulder Tang
Marine fish are highly sensitive animals with very specific care requirements. Most all saltwater species will require similar water conditions, designed to replicate that of natural seawater. Ammonia and nitrite levels should absolute zero, temperature at 76F to 80F, and salinity at 1.024 to 1.026. Although some fish are tolerant of lower levels of Nitrate, the goal in every aquariums should be to keep Nitrate as close to zero as possible, and certainly under 20ppm. Finally, maintaining a stable pH of 8.0 to 8.4 is desired. Achieving this is made easier by monitoring alkalinity, which should be kept at 8-12 DKH, and calcium, which is targeted at 400 to 460ppm.
Contributing Members
The following members have contributed to this profile: Pasfur
