Clown Tang

With the black-edged blue and yellow lines covering the upper part of its body, the clown tang is one of the most colorful tangs; the belly area is pale lavender-white and the pelvic fins are yellow-orange. In the wild it lives on shallow reef edges where the waves break, in grazing territories defended by large males, and it swims almost nonstop. The long scalpel spine on its tail base is venomous and can cause painful wounds. Specimens are wild-collected; in the aquarium it is a difficult species because of its aggression, its need for space and its susceptibility to marine white spot.

• At least 1000 liters and an aquarium longer than 200 cm for an adult; very strong flow and high oxygen.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Quarantine is a must; be careful of its scalpel during maintenance and do not handle the fish.
• Reef-safe: It leaves corals alone.

Mainly herbivorous; in the wild it also eats small crustaceans. Dried seaweed and foods containing spirulina every day; frozen mysis and brine shrimp should be offered a few times a week.

One of the most aggressive tangs. It attacks its own species, other tangs and similarly shaped fish with its scalpel; it is also territorial towards newly added fish.

Good companions: In a very large aquarium, large and hardy fish: large angelfish, large wrasses, triggerfish.

Avoid: Other tangs, small and timid fish, small aquariums.