Sohal Tang

The sohal tang is a large, eye-catching surgeonfish endemic to the Red Sea and the waters around the Arabian Peninsula. Its whitish-gray body is covered with thin black horizontal lines; the scalpel on the tail base and the area below the pectoral fin are bright orange, while the dorsal, anal and tail fins are black with blue edges. In the wild it fiercely defends its own grazing territory along wave-battered reef edges, and it keeps this habit in the aquarium too. Specimens are wild-collected; it is hardy, but because of its size and temperament it is suitable only for very large systems.

• At least 1000 liters and a tank longer than 200 cm for an adult.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; strong flow and high oxygen.
• Wide open swimming space; the rocks should be grouped in one part of the aquarium.
• Reef-safe: It leaves corals and invertebrates alone.

Herbivorous; in the wild it feeds on brown algae such as Sargassum and fine green algae. Offer dried seaweed and foods containing spirulina every day; frozen mysis serves as a supplement.

One of the most aggressive tangs; using its sharp scalpel, it can injure other tangs and similarly shaped fish. For this reason it is usually added to the aquarium last.

Good companions: In a very large aquarium, large fish able to defend themselves: large angelfish, large wrasses, triggerfish, foxface.

Avoid: Other tangs, similarly shaped and skittish fish, small aquariums.