Doctorfish
Acanthurus chirurgus
FishMarine
The doctorfish is a medium-sized marine fish (up to 30 cm) with an oval, laterally compressed body. Its coloration is gray-brown with 10 to 12 dark vertical bars. It has a sharp spine on each side of the caudal peduncle. It is an herbivore that grazes on algae and can be kept in an aquarium with other peaceful fish.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.1 |
Care
Difficulty3/5
Dietherbivore
Min. tank300 L
Min. group1
Adult size30 cm
Lifespan8 ans
Temperamentpeaceful
Care notes
Tank of at least 300 liters with rockwork and algae to graze. Stable water, salinity 1.020-1.025, temperature 24-28°C. Beware of the caudal spine when handling. Feed with dried algae, spirulina-based pellets, and fresh vegetables. Can be kept in groups if the tank is large enough.