Lined Surgeonfish
Acanthurus lineatus
This surgeonfish has an elongated body with alternating horizontal blue and yellow lines, a yellow crescent-shaped caudal fin. It can reach 38 cm. The caudal spine is very sharp. It lives in groups in the wild but becomes aggressive in captivity. It grazes on filamentous algae. Its coloration intensifies with age. It is a hardy fish but prone to skin diseases if water quality is poor.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| GH | 8–12 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| Salinity | 1.02–1.025 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.1 |
Care
Care notes
A minimum 500-liter tank is required for an adult. Temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025. Herbivorous diet: algae, vegetables, spirulina. Avoid excess protein. It is aggressive towards other surgeonfish and similarly shaped fish. Introduce it last into the aquarium. A powerful skimmer and efficient filtration are essential. Nitrates <20 mg/L, phosphates <0.1 mg/L. Moderate to strong current. It needs hiding places but also swimming space.