Orange-shoulder Surgeonfish
Acanthurus olivaceus
This fish has an oval body, gray-blue with a large orange crescent-shaped patch on the upper flank just behind the gill cover. The caudal fin is bluish. It grows up to 35 cm. Juveniles are yellow with blue spots. It is less aggressive than other surgeonfish. It feeds on benthic algae. In the aquarium, it is active and requires good water flow. It can be kept in groups if the tank is large enough.
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
Minimum 400-liter tank. Temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025. Herbivorous diet: algae, nori, vegetables. Supplement with vitamin-enriched foods. It is compatible with most reef fish, but avoid other surgeonfish if space is limited. A protein skimmer is recommended. Nitrates <20 mg/L, phosphates <0.1 mg/L. Moderate current. It appreciates live rock for grazing. Be careful of jumping: cover the tank.