First part: surgeons
I begin this article by making a small comment, in my review there are no fish “Reef Safe”, the species That we can add to our reef Aquarium will always be limited to the personality of each fish in particular we must bear in mind That 99.9% of the bugs are captured in place of origin. This Brings About a variety of areas of extraction for a species That May Have a food supply in Its Natural Habitat very different Between one area and another.
This Determines That our friend can finish pecking at coral or invertebrate since there is a deficit in the local Their diet has HAD to replace with some animals and, following the law of Murphy, always sort we will have it in our aquarium.
General information
Beginning to talk fish surgeons we can say That They are species of tropical marine fish in the family Acanthuridae, surgeonfish of STI common name is Given by a pair of retractable tail spines, one on each side, Which are very sharp and are used to Their defense.
Its main habitats are coral reefs Where They feed and reproduce. Are present in all the oceans That Have tropical waters, being the Indo-Pacific Where there is greater concentration of species. Some of them live in colder waters, as example can appoint to the Galapagos Islands and the coasts of Japan in the Pacific Ocean; in the Atlantic, the southern coast of Brazil and the northern United States, these very small and not very common species in our aquariums.
When choosing a copy for our aquarium Certain Should take precautions and inform us very well for Their needs since there are fish Usually easy to Maintain DESPITE how common it is to see them in our aquariums.
The first thing is to Consider the size of our tank, fish are swimmers WHO need space to move, They Tend to do quick laps When They look food or are afraid to enter one room or with a loud noise. Not Having to Worry About an eventual Increase of its size over time and have it to give or sell the single So THAT does not suffer, for a single copy and not great, we need an Aquarium of at Least one meter from the front and some 200 lts. We can take as the rough basis, if we want to Have More of one copy, one by the Mentioned volume, always go to Depending on Their size and behavior. We Could Have a single copy if it’s quiet personality and a reduced size in smaller aquariums, as for example in some of the largest cubes but never in a nano as a minimum measure 100 lts.
The next question is Whether We Have enough dedication to keep surgeons. Wonder why I am not speaking from experience, the reality is That experience leads us to be more methodical in caring for our reef and know and identify identity problems, but if we don ‘t have much experience but we are Commanded in the maintenance and care of our fish, in my review, reach. Now If They Have Problems in Maintaining parameters, algae growth, and loss of the inhabitants, That They recommend desist from Their acquisition Already That is the safe way to the death of the surgeon and thrown away Several hundred pesos.
Our aquarium parameters Have to be The most stable possible, is not capable decisive To have zero nitrates (eye, much lower better) but we do not Have That marked variations T, pH and Kh since esta leads to a excessive stress in our friend Usually leading to a decay in your immune system and to end Marine holding white dot velvet or some type of infection Usually That Ends with the death of the specimen.
The power supply must be abundant for two Reasons: the first is That They are voracious fish and to keep a good health Have to eat two or three times per day food algae, Spirulina Either, of Ocean Nutrition Formula Two, seaweed Nori, Supplemented With shrimp, krill, or paste. The second is based on the first, eat everything you are made and devastate them without leaving little reason for fish tank mates so You have to add enough food so others can be fueled That. Adapted Once the bug They are gluttons WHO Such end up grabbing food from our own hands by making this a special moment in our interaction With our aquarium to acknowledge our presence in the room and realize That we are taking the pot of food.
As to Consider last point is to choose a copy in the business That we see with good health and verify That feed herself, Usually Immediately take commercial foods, but if They are very weak and slow to eat we lose the animal. The seaweed Nori, essential in your diet, not take Immediately Generally, esta toast Especially, the nature is Easier to grab it but is not immediately. Take work to be consistent in offering and do a few tricks, like setting them to some stone to make it look rock seaweed or cut them into pieces as if They Were scales. Once They tested them, they put them in commercial hooks With plunger in the glass of the tank They will not have no Qualms Quickly and voracious eating them.
ornamental species
When we speak of ornamental fish, we refer to Anyone Who can be kept in an aquarium for your display, fish surgeons are divided into more than 80 species in 6 generates:
acanthurus
Ctenochaetus
Naso
Paracanthurus
Prionurus
zebrasoma
acanthurus
Nearly half of surgeons species belong to this genus, MOST lives in the Indo-Pacific, Although some species in the Atlantic. Our Aquarium is only a few interested in us. Usually it is The most delicate in Maintaining family since They Have a very high mortality rate and to this must be added surgeons That They are more aggressive and territorial, in my personal opinion, They are The most eye-catching and elegant That we can get to keep in captivity. I will appoint the Most Important with a brief description and care from the Easiest to the MOST difficult.
Acanthurus olivaceus
It is a lively, but not very aggressive fish and Usually does not touch the coral, STI That main feature is being young is completely yellow and growing up Changes to a gray color, with a large orange patch on Both Sides of your body. They arrive to grow one 20 cm Within our aquarium and need plenty of space to swim and where to hide. They Tend to dig the sand to hide. It is easy to find on the premises of Buenos Aires and is not the MOST expensive. Usually They are in business quite some time since it is one of The most sought-after species in This Way if the dealer is aware With the care of the fish Tend to be well tailored and in very good shape.
A. olivaceus juvenile a. adult olivaceus
acanthurus pyroferus
It is a territorial fish but not very aggressive, like all of the gender needs enough place to swim since it Reaches 25 cm in our aquarium, ITS power has to be based mainly on seaweed, Nori. It is Also a large dining room of cualerpa but not so much of filamentous algae. Its originality lies in Its juvenile stage taking the colors of any of the dwarf angels Who are in Where They Live, That way is mixed and avoid predators. When They reach adulthood They take end With Their Color tones of chocolate and colorful fins. It is another That is very Often fish in aquariums, not high price.
A youth pyrofrus to. adult pyroferus
Acanthurus japonicus
It is a solitary, peaceful, surgeon Grand dining room of macro algae and very swimmer. It comes to grow around 20 cm, I’ve had it in an Aquarium of 200 lit. trouble-free and very healthy. It is not Aggressive with other fish or surgeons, Only with colleagues of the same species or surgeons of livery similar to the of a. nigricans, Moreover, it is very common That When We see it in an aquarium They want to sell us a. nigricans as an. japonicus. The only appreciable difference is its face, the Japanese have a white patch across His face while the nigricans only under His eye and on His mouth. It is a very rare find in aquariums and fish Generally They are expensive Because of Their rarity. In my review, Acanthurus is one of the more beautiful and not very difficult to Maintain, personal experience as I have to comment That the copy that had it HAD to get out of the Aquarium Because it NIP me LPS.
Acanthurus nigricans
Characteristics Very perecidas to a. japonicus, Tends to be slightly more common in aquariums and lower price, I recommend to be careful and be sure to buy Which species we are selling.
Acanthurus leucosternon
This species is the most-watched in the aquariums of the genus Acanthurus, very Requested by fans due to STI vivid colors, mainly dominated Their bodies blue and yellow on ITS fins. Here is the trap, is not an easy beast to Maintain, very delicate With the parameters of the water, survival rates very low and very Aggressive with other surgeons, as well as fish of other families mainly butterflies. We will need a spacious Aquarium since it Reaches 30 cm, but click here to see a copy of That size is something very rare. The quality of the water has to be optimal, as Mentioned, since any sign of stress Attracts the white dot, one way to realize your health is your color, shouldnt be pale, Especially His face is well That dark almost black hue and if we see it washed is a very negative sign.
This fish must have excellent health at the time of STI acquisition in order to succeed and That survives the adaptation in our aquarium, this is something increasingly harder to see, fish are weak and Their colors Usually leave much to be desired, to this must be added the high cost Compared With other fish of the genus being, in some cases, up to double the value. Its diet is Primarily herbivorous but Eventually Took shrimp, krill and pasta, as well as commercial feed.
Acanthurus lineatus
This species has Become common to see locals, quite cheaper “leuco” Also called “clown” surgeon, variety of stripes on STI body of vivid colors dominate the blue and yellow. Enough, grow About 20 cm, to a rate of growth That is quite high if you are well fed, still not unusual to see copies With some years in a tank Mentioned That reach the size, so we need a good size, not least the 400 lt Aquarium. and Have the parameters to be suitable for a reef. Are very active in the Aquarium leaving swim at any moment only to Peck Given the rocks in search of algae, Their main food. It will take any type of flake, spirulina, pasta and even krill or shrimp but you never Have to miss the Nori seaweed. A great advantage Is That It Is Usually eat filamentous algae If This short, cleansing whole rocks in a couple of days. They are quite aggressive With Their peers, mainly With any type of surgeon, in Addition to other families of our reef fish, Eventually will be the Lord and Master of our small world. In business, They Tend to be seen in very good form since it is not a fish with great rotation and are fairly Adapted When purchasing them, i.e. By His reputation for problematic over time, the cost is around the average, is not expensive for the beauty of the fish and less colorful Usually animals have one higher cost.
Sohal surgeonfish
Very similar to the lineatus in Its form but less defined colors and with a greater amount of colors Predominantly blue, it is endemic network to being Commonly called Saudi surgeon, whether Which Makes it quite difficult to Achieve and That is a very high cost but lately rather it is being in the aquariums of Buenos Aires. This is Because That catches Within itself the Red Sea are very controlled if They are almost nil. Usually These species are harvested in the Union With the Indian Ocean. Maintenance requirements are very similar to the lineatus, large aquariums, by ITS large size, and stable. Tends to be very aggressive, if not the hardest In This regard, the survival rate is not high, and taking into account Its very high cost, About 250 u $ s in Argentina, have to make us buy copies, very healthy and Adapted. The diet is herbivorous, Having to give Nori seaweed regularly in order to Have a healthy animals in our aquarium, reaching to eat filamentous algae. When it comes to it Should take into account That swimmer and it is very vivacious, we need lots of space so that you ‘feel comfortable and not suffer from stress.
Acanthurus achilles
Do you remember when we Could never fill the album figurines Because we needed the “difficult”? Well, this is the difficult “figurine” when we speak of surgeons. Its deep black color, with a large orange patch on each side of Its body Makes it very attractive and eye-catching. It is always recommended to “experts”, by Its very low survival rate, it is highly prone to stress in our aquarium if we do not POSSESS one of large size, above the 500 lit. and optimal quality of water, not to say perfect would be the more correct term. Personally years ago That I do not see a specimen in a business, mainly the high cost makes me a very bad investment if it does not survive the transfer and adaptation at the Local, can possibly be Reached to bring order to the buyer’s risk, That is the reality but it is not known how much cost can get Until we have it in our hands. Another disadvantage is high aggression STI count other surgeons, Especially the genus Zebrasoma, becoming deadly in many cases and esta adds more trouble to maintain. We Have That we are used to That Certain species are out of reach for the vast majority of the aquarists, I believe That if we are aware of the Risks we can try each of the species difficult, but it is in particular, is almost impossible, not so much by Their Characteristics and Difficulties when it comes to care, if not for STI high cost, in Which there is no measure and can charge us anything Also, Although we pay what we want to order Usually we can not get it.
Ctenochaetus
This genus is Considered to be The most herbivorous of surgeons, the shape of your mouth is specially Adapted to eat filamentous algae on the rocks and sand, pass it are all the time looking for food Among the rocks and cleaning our reef substrate. Usually They are very active somewhat shy fish, before the first queer movement will disappear Among the rocks, might be a little Aggressive with other surgeons, but it is will you poking around by our decoration in search of algae giving much mobility to the Fishbowl, UNLIKE other surgeons and WHO spend swimming from tip to tip in front of the same by subtracting realism to our ecosystem. Its maintenance is not very demanding With the parameters of the water, Necessary for a reef, has the great advantage of not grow too much, not more than 15 cm in captivity, Which Makes it a good choice for aquariums more guys if we want to Have a surgeon. They are not as showy as Acanthurus but ITS unique shape and color out of the ordinary make it quite attractive, in Addition to performing the function so Important to keep the Aquarium free of algae
striated surgeonfish
I is the Member of the genre Commonly see in Buenos Aires locals, They are Generally in good condition and with good colors, it is not a fish highly Sought after and Well Known, not be as striking goes unnoticed for the average aquarist and is only wanted by fans more aware of Its virtues and benefits, esta Past does not make it very expensive when it comes to purchasing it. As staff experience commented That I kept a copy for a year Having to remove it from the Aquarium To have violent battles With an a. lineatus ending very hurt both, but had a very interesting Behaviour Within the reef keeping clean the rocks and substrate. They will eat all types of food over time but never Have to miss the algae in Their diet, Such as Nori, and Spirulina and even more so if we have a good mature Aquarium free of filamentous algae.
Ctenochaetus strigosus
It is much more colorful than the C. striautus, This will be much more Requested, His violet blue and surrounded by a yellow ring furious eye Gives one a rare and striking appearance. It is something more timid in our aquarium and Happened it is long behind the rocks in search of food but will Fulfill the same function to keep the Aquarium free of filamentous algae and the well clean substrate. Do not grow too, one 15 cm, what a nano Makes it perfect for buckets of good size, never. Everything good always has one Against, is a rare fish in the warehouses, making it a rarity and When They Come They Tend to ask prices quite high. Its power will be mainly CARP to the Nori seaweed being STI main food source if We Have an aquarium clean and stable. When we go to buy it must be careful and be concerned of insurance esta species, since in State juvenile does not Have ITS distinctive yellow spot in your eye is very similar to C. striatus.
Naso
Its name Refers to the great Unicorn That POSSESS some species in the genus, distribution STIs are mostly tropical Indo-Pacific areas, surgeons at larger reaching 50 cm released and one 30 in captivity, esta last being rather rare but not impossible. Are great eaters of macro algae in the Aquarium, quiet and peaceful character, Often have no Problems with other surgeons, or fish of different families. They are a good selection for your character, up to the time will arrive to eat from our hands everything we add them. The only drawback is its size, so You have to leave them for aquariums of larger size with at Least a meter and a half in front They are very swimmers.
Naso lituratus
It is The most common species found in the commercial premises of esta genre, calm and gentle is performs well Aquarium With all the reef fish, even With the same surgeons, even being nagged by These but They ignored and your port (Easily Reaches 25 cm in a large aquarium) Helps to Have His fellow man respect. It is not very territorial, will leave Those duties to other surgeons in our aquarium, The most successful explanation of Their behavior is “I not I go With anyone so They Do not Get Involved With Me” will keep the distance and will keep the distance to Who Dares to disturb it. Their diet is herbivorous That we we must not neglect esta aspect, we will Regularly Have to give Nori, and Spirulina,, Although it will take time over any commercial food: such as pasta, shrimp and krill. This species is particularity in charge of macro algae That can grow in our aquarium, some Considered pests, Such as Wallonia, Lobophora and Dictyota. Take wanting Several of These species of algae,, Although there are times that you ‘will do only if you don’ t have anything else to eat. The parameters to be Considered are common to any reef being The most stable since it is prone to the white dot, well, Although being Adapted Generally you will eat well and will be one of our “fat people” Keep Their defenses high.
Related posts:
Aquarium Cabinet – you create an exotic atmosphere at home!
Creative decoration ideas for aquarium itself
Cool aquarium decoration ideas