Acanthurus chirurgus

Identification	Gray to brownish body with 10–12 narrow, dark vertical bars that can intensify or fade based on mood. A dark spot surrounds the caudal spine.
Maximum Length	Up to 14 inches (35 cm)
Origin	Western Atlantic — Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean to Brazil
Minimum Tank Size	150 gallons
Reef Compatible	Yes

Behavior

A bold, active Atlantic tang that does well in large aquariums. May show aggression toward other Acanthurus tangs, particularly in smaller systems. Despite this, it is considered more manageable than some of its Indo-Pacific relatives. Best introduced as the last tang added to a tank.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore. Grazes heavily on algae in the wild. Offer nori on a clip daily, spirulina-based foods, and herbivore pellets. Fresh vegetables such as blanched zucchini are also accepted.

Cautions

Can be territorial toward similar species. Keep with tangs of different body shapes or introduce simultaneously.