This marine aquarium fish is known as
Doctorfish, Black Doctorfish and the correct latin name is
Acanthurus chirurgus. The family that this marine fish species belongs to is called the
Tang family. (
e) It's origin is
Western Atlantic. (
e)
Character and suggestions regarding care
This species is semi-aggressive.
Doctorfish can grow up to 40 cm what is approximately 15 inches. In general, 1 specimen requires at least 4800cm
2 of water surface which is approximately 744 square inch. We recommend you to keep it in fish tanks which are large. (
e) Medium aquariums have at least 113 Litres (30 US Gallons). Large aquariums have at least 265 Litres (70 US Gallons). Very large aquariums have at least 700 Litres (185 US Gallons).
It is easy to keep the Doctorfish. (
e) The specific gravity (SG) should be between 1,020 and 1,025, the temperature between 23°C (73.4°F) and 26°C (78.8°F). The suggested level of pH (a measure of the acidity/basicity) is between 8.0 and 8.3 which is usual for most marine fish.
The origin is Massachusetts (USA), Bermuda, and the northern Gulf of Mexico to Sao Paulo, Brazil. It can be also found on Eastern Atlantic; Senegal. Source:
fishbase.
Related fish profiles in the database
- Acanthurus Achilles (Achilles Tang)
- Acanthurus Bahianus (Ocean Surgeon)
- Acanthurus Blochii (Dark Surgeon, Ringtail Surgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Coeruleus (Atlantic Blue Juvenile, Yellow Juvenile Coloration, Juvenile Atlantic Blue Tang)
- Acanthurus Dussumieri (Eyestripe Surgeonfish, Dussumier’s Surgeonfish, Hawaiian Surgeonfish, Ornate Sturgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Japonicus (Japan Surgeonfish, White-nose Surgeonfish, Powder Brown Tang)
- Acanthurus Leucosternon (Powder Blue Tang, Powder Blue Surgeon)
- Acanthurus Lineatus (Clown Tang)
- Acanthurus Monroviae (Monrovia Doctorfish)
- Acanthurus Nigricans (White Cheek Tang, Whitecheek Surgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Olivaceus (Orange Shoulder Tang)
- Acanthurus Pyroferus (Eiblii Mimic Tang, Chocolate Surgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Sohal (Sohal Surgeonfish)
- Acanthurus Triostegus (Convict Tang)
- Acanthurus Xanthopterus (Cuvier’s Surgeonfish, Purple Surgeonfish, Ring-Tailed Surgeonfish, Yellowfin Surgeonfish)
- Ctenochaetus Hawaiiensis (Chevron Tang)
- Ctenochaetus Striatus (Striated Surgeonfish)
- Ctenochaetus Strigosus (Spotted Surgeonfish, Yellow Eye Kole Tang)
- Naso Annulatus (Whitemargin Unicornfish)
- Naso Brevirostris (Spotted Unicornfish)
- Naso Lituratus (Orangespine Unicornfish)
- Naso Unicornis (Bluespine Unicornfish)
- Naso Vlamingii (Bignose Unicornfish)
- Paracanthurus Hepatus (Blue Tang, Palette Surgeonfish)
- Prionurus Punctatus (Yellowtail Surgeonfish)
- Zebrasoma Desjardinii (Desjardin’s Sailfin Tang)
- Zebrasoma Flavescens (Yellow Tang)
- Zebrasoma Gemmatum (Spotted Tang)
- Zebrasoma Scopas (Twotone Tang)
- Zebrasoma Veliferum (Sailfin Tang)
- Zebrasoma Xanthurum (Yellowtail Tang)
Recommended readingBy Exotic Aquariums
Feel free to share your experiences regarding keeping
Acanthurus chirurgus below. Every message will be held for approval by our moderators. It usually takes 24 hours to publish your comment. Before you ask anything, browse the
questions page, please.
Document modified on Tue Nov 27 15:59:41 UTC 2007
Document created on Tue Nov 27 15:59:41 UTC 2007
edit this page or
create a new fish profile