Vampire Tang - Acanthurus tennentii
Vampire Tang (Acanthurus tennentii)
The Vampire Tang is a graceful surgeonfish with a pale grey-brown body, a distinctive dark shoulder marking that develops into two curved bands as it matures, and vivid electric-blue edging around the caudal spine area and tail. In the wild it inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs, as well as silty inshore to outer reef slopes, where it grazes on benthic algae either singly, in groups, or in small shoals. In aquaria it is an active, elegant fish that needs strong water quality, open swimming room and a mature system with good natural grazing.
Common Name:
Vampire Tang. It is also commonly referred to as the Doubleband Surgeonfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Acanthurus tennentii
Maximum Size:
Up to 31 cm in captivity is a sensible aquarium reference, although larger maximum lengths of up to 50 cm are reported in broader species references.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found through the Indian Ocean and adjacent eastern Indian Ocean region, including records from East Africa to Sri Lanka and southern Indonesia. It inhabits lagoon reefs, seaward reefs and reef slopes, generally from around 1 to over 20 metres depth.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Generally semi-aggressive. It is usually manageable with dissimilar fish, but it can become territorial towards similar surgeonfish, especially other Acanthurus species.
Diet:
Primarily herbivorous / algivorous. It naturally grazes on benthic algae and should be offered a diet rich in marine algae, nori, spirulina-based foods and other algae-led fare, with smaller meaty foods used only as a supplement.
Minimum Tank Size:
At least 680 litres is a sensible long-term starting point, with substantially larger aquaria strongly preferred for adult fish. Some aquarium references recommend very large systems of around 1,500 litres under optimal long-term conditions.
Behaviour & Activity:
A highly active grazer that spends much of the day swimming and browsing rock surfaces for algae. It benefits from ample open swimming space, but also appreciates hiding places when newly introduced or unsettled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is generally regarded as suitable for reef aquaria and is widely described as safe with corals and invertebrates. As with most tangs, keeping it well fed and providing enough natural grazing helps reduce the chance of opportunistic nipping.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with vigorous filtration, strong water movement, high oxygenation and plenty of algae growth to graze on. Rockwork should provide boltholes and shelter, and care is needed when handling, as the caudal spines can inflict a painful wound.
Suitable for:
Intermediate to Experienced fishkeepers. This fits its average hardiness, strong swimming needs and the extra space and planning required for long-term care.
Availability:
Occasional in trade. This is an inference based on current aquarium-trade listings and the fact that it appears less routinely than the more common tang species.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
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Vampire Tang - Acanthurus tennentii
Vampire Tang - Acanthurus tennentii
Vampire Tang (Acanthurus tennentii)
The Vampire Tang is a graceful surgeonfish with a pale grey-brown body, a distinctive dark shoulder marking that develops into two curved bands as it matures, and vivid electric-blue edging around the caudal spine area and tail. In the wild it inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs, as well as silty inshore to outer reef slopes, where it grazes on benthic algae either singly, in groups, or in small shoals. In aquaria it is an active, elegant fish that needs strong water quality, open swimming room and a mature system with good natural grazing.
Common Name:
Vampire Tang. It is also commonly referred to as the Doubleband Surgeonfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Acanthurus tennentii
Maximum Size:
Up to 31 cm in captivity is a sensible aquarium reference, although larger maximum lengths of up to 50 cm are reported in broader species references.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found through the Indian Ocean and adjacent eastern Indian Ocean region, including records from East Africa to Sri Lanka and southern Indonesia. It inhabits lagoon reefs, seaward reefs and reef slopes, generally from around 1 to over 20 metres depth.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Generally semi-aggressive. It is usually manageable with dissimilar fish, but it can become territorial towards similar surgeonfish, especially other Acanthurus species.
Diet:
Primarily herbivorous / algivorous. It naturally grazes on benthic algae and should be offered a diet rich in marine algae, nori, spirulina-based foods and other algae-led fare, with smaller meaty foods used only as a supplement.
Minimum Tank Size:
At least 680 litres is a sensible long-term starting point, with substantially larger aquaria strongly preferred for adult fish. Some aquarium references recommend very large systems of around 1,500 litres under optimal long-term conditions.
Behaviour & Activity:
A highly active grazer that spends much of the day swimming and browsing rock surfaces for algae. It benefits from ample open swimming space, but also appreciates hiding places when newly introduced or unsettled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is generally regarded as suitable for reef aquaria and is widely described as safe with corals and invertebrates. As with most tangs, keeping it well fed and providing enough natural grazing helps reduce the chance of opportunistic nipping.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with vigorous filtration, strong water movement, high oxygenation and plenty of algae growth to graze on. Rockwork should provide boltholes and shelter, and care is needed when handling, as the caudal spines can inflict a painful wound.
Suitable for:
Intermediate to Experienced fishkeepers. This fits its average hardiness, strong swimming needs and the extra space and planning required for long-term care.
Availability:
Occasional in trade. This is an inference based on current aquarium-trade listings and the fact that it appears less routinely than the more common tang species.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $74.56
-65%$74.56
$26.10Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Vampire Tang (Acanthurus tennentii)
The Vampire Tang is a graceful surgeonfish with a pale grey-brown body, a distinctive dark shoulder marking that develops into two curved bands as it matures, and vivid electric-blue edging around the caudal spine area and tail. In the wild it inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs, as well as silty inshore to outer reef slopes, where it grazes on benthic algae either singly, in groups, or in small shoals. In aquaria it is an active, elegant fish that needs strong water quality, open swimming room and a mature system with good natural grazing.
Common Name:
Vampire Tang. It is also commonly referred to as the Doubleband Surgeonfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Acanthurus tennentii
Maximum Size:
Up to 31 cm in captivity is a sensible aquarium reference, although larger maximum lengths of up to 50 cm are reported in broader species references.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found through the Indian Ocean and adjacent eastern Indian Ocean region, including records from East Africa to Sri Lanka and southern Indonesia. It inhabits lagoon reefs, seaward reefs and reef slopes, generally from around 1 to over 20 metres depth.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Generally semi-aggressive. It is usually manageable with dissimilar fish, but it can become territorial towards similar surgeonfish, especially other Acanthurus species.
Diet:
Primarily herbivorous / algivorous. It naturally grazes on benthic algae and should be offered a diet rich in marine algae, nori, spirulina-based foods and other algae-led fare, with smaller meaty foods used only as a supplement.
Minimum Tank Size:
At least 680 litres is a sensible long-term starting point, with substantially larger aquaria strongly preferred for adult fish. Some aquarium references recommend very large systems of around 1,500 litres under optimal long-term conditions.
Behaviour & Activity:
A highly active grazer that spends much of the day swimming and browsing rock surfaces for algae. It benefits from ample open swimming space, but also appreciates hiding places when newly introduced or unsettled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is generally regarded as suitable for reef aquaria and is widely described as safe with corals and invertebrates. As with most tangs, keeping it well fed and providing enough natural grazing helps reduce the chance of opportunistic nipping.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with vigorous filtration, strong water movement, high oxygenation and plenty of algae growth to graze on. Rockwork should provide boltholes and shelter, and care is needed when handling, as the caudal spines can inflict a painful wound.
Suitable for:
Intermediate to Experienced fishkeepers. This fits its average hardiness, strong swimming needs and the extra space and planning required for long-term care.
Availability:
Occasional in trade. This is an inference based on current aquarium-trade listings and the fact that it appears less routinely than the more common tang species.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
