Whitecheek surgeonfish

Acanthurus nigricans

FishMarine

Acanthurus nigricans is a surgeonfish with an oval, laterally compressed body, dark brown to black, with a large white patch on the cheek and a white band at the base of the tail. It has a sharp caudal spine on each side of the caudal peduncle. In the aquarium, it is active and needs plenty of swimming space. It is a herbivore that grazes on algae on rocks and decor. It can become territorial with other surgeonfish.

Recommended parameters

ParameterRecommended range
Temperature24–28
pH8.1–8.4
GH8–12
KH8–12
NO₃≤ 20
PO₄≤ 0.1

Care

Difficulty3/5
Dietherbivore
Min. tank500 L
Min. group1
Adult size25 cm
Lifespan10 ans
Temperamentsemi-aggressive

Care notes

Tank of at least 500 liters with good filtration and strong water movement. Live rock for grazing. Diet rich in algae (nori, spirulina) and vegetable supplements. Caution with caudal spines during handling.