Black Spot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene)

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Black Spot Surgeonfish
Acanthurus bariene
Black Spot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus bariene)
Name Black Spot Surgeonfish
Name Lat. Acanthurus bariene
Family Surgeonfishes
Family lat. Acanthuridae
Order Surgeonfishes
Order lat. Acanthuriformes
Origin Indo-West Pacific
Habitat Reefs
Diet Herbivore
pH 8.1-8.4
Hardness 8-10 °KH
Behavior Semi-aggressive
Keeping Individual, pair
Reef Compatible Yes
Care Level Difficult
Life Span 2-3 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 45 cm
Temperature 22-28 °C
Salinity 33-36 ‰
Aquarium ~ 1.500 l
US Units
Size 18"
Temperature 72-82 °F
Salinity 1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium ~ 400 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of Acanthurus bariene is the Indian Ocean from Mozambique to Madagascar and the Maldives. Groups of juveniles occur in sheltered shallow lagoons and inner reefs, adults live singly or in pairs on moderately flowing, deep outer reefs.

Maintenance

They require a well-structured aquarium with plenty of swimming space and a reef structure (hiding, resting and retreat possibilities) with living stones which they can graze on and which act like a biological filter. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free sands, gravels, stones or sea sand of various grain sizes may be used as substrate

Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰ pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l

For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.

Diet

They feed mainly on plant food, such as algae and seaweed. The change of diet does not always succeed without problems. The diet consists mainly of commercially available algae and kelp (e.g. nori, caulerpa, kelp) supplemented with high-quality flake or granulated food for herbivores or a commercially available vitamin-enriched frozen special food mix for herbivores. Live or frozen food such as artemia, krill or mysis should only be offered in small quantities. Plant food strengthens the immune system and reduces aggression. Fine coral sand serves as a digestive aid for them

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

It is recommended to keep them individually. They behave very territorial within the species and towards other surgeonfishes. Keeping them in pairs is only possible in a much larger and richly structured tank. Towards other fishes they behave peacefully.

Sex dimorphism

External sexual characteristics are not known.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

A characteristic feature of surgeonfishes is the scalpel located on either side of the caudal peduncle, which can be unfolded from its pocket by bending the body.

As coral reef dwellers, they should not be maintained in a fish-only aquarium. With varied and frequent feeding, they can be maintained in challenging coral tanks without serious coral encroachment.

If different species are kept together, care should be taken to match the fish in terms of water quality and temperature requirements, as well as their social behavior, and to ensure that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. New fish to be introduced must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: KUITER, DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF