Convict surgeonfish - Acanthurus triostegus

Species Name: Acanthurus triostegus

Synonyms: Acanthurus triostegust, Chaetodon triostegus, Teuthis triostegus, Acanthurus triostegus, Rhombotides triostegus, Hepatus triostegus, Acanthurus triostegus triostegus, Acanthurus triastegus, Harpurus fasciatus, Chaetodon couaga, Acanthurus zebra, Teuthis australis, Acanthurus hirudo, Acanthurus subarmatus, Rhombotides pentazona, Acanthurus pentazona, Hepatus sandvicensis, Teuthis sandvicensis, Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis, Teuthis elegans, Teuthis troughtoni, Acanthurus triostegus marquesensis

Common Names: Convict surgeonfish

Family: Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes, tangs, unicornfishes)

Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)

Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)

Max.Size: 27.0 cm / 4.2 inches

Environment: Marine reef

Origin: Southeast Atlantic, Western and Eastern Indian Ocean, Northwest,Western Central, Eastern Central, Southwest and Southeast Pacific

Temperament: Reports of ciguatera poisoning

Company: Avoid keeping Acanthurus triostegus (Convict surgeonfish) with similar species, lionfish and groupers.

Aquarium Setup: Acanthurus triostegus (Convict surgeonfish) doesn’t react well to change, so you need to keep its environment fairly stable - chemically, physically and socially. They also need a lot of space, 50 gallons per individual as a minimum, and strong water movement. Aeration should be vigorous and the pH should be buffered and always stay between 8.0 and 8.4. Acanthurus triostegus prefers temperatures in the seventies to low eighties F. Keep organic levels as low as possible and never let the nitrate levels reach above 25 ppm.

Food: Acanthurus triostegus (Convict surgeonfish) feed on filamentous algae. You will have to feed Acanthurus triostegus tiny portions very often, so getting an algae stone or installing an automatic feeder might be an option.

Breeding: We have no information about breeding Acanthurus triostegus (Convict surgeonfish) in aquariums.

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