Jim Greenfield, Großbritannien
Info
This surgeonfish resembles Acanthurus nigricaudus, but many specimen of the Acanthuridae family are difficult to identify in their juvenile stages, anyway.
In contrast to Acanthurus nigricaudus, Acanthurus gahhm is missing the black stripe extending from the tail spine.
Most attempts to keep a pair of black surgeonfish have failed so far.
Needs to be fed 2 to 3 times a day with a diet consisting mainly of macro algae, spirulina, dried sea weed (Nori algae), vegetable flakes soaked with vitamins and some meaty fare.
The surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), popular in marine aquaristics, are also called surgeonfishes.
They have horn-like blades in front of the tail root, they use as mainly defensive weapon (defense) against predators, but this sharp weapon is also used in fights among themselves.
Deep cuts in the body of opponents can cause permanent injuries, but often death occurs immediately.
If surgeonfishes are to be kept in pairs in an aquarium, fights between the fishes can be the order of the day, we could observe this several times with the very popular Hawaiian surgeonfish (Zebrasoma flavescens).
The scalpel-like blades can cause deep cuts, this is also true for the careless aquarist who wants to touch or catch the fish with unprotected hands.
Another problem can occur if one wants to catch surgeonfish with a landing net and transfer them after catching, the horn blade can easily get caught in the net.
Caution: Careless handling of the animal can cause deep cuts!
In contrast to Acanthurus nigricaudus, Acanthurus gahhm is missing the black stripe extending from the tail spine.
Most attempts to keep a pair of black surgeonfish have failed so far.
Needs to be fed 2 to 3 times a day with a diet consisting mainly of macro algae, spirulina, dried sea weed (Nori algae), vegetable flakes soaked with vitamins and some meaty fare.
The surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), popular in marine aquaristics, are also called surgeonfishes.
They have horn-like blades in front of the tail root, they use as mainly defensive weapon (defense) against predators, but this sharp weapon is also used in fights among themselves.
Deep cuts in the body of opponents can cause permanent injuries, but often death occurs immediately.
If surgeonfishes are to be kept in pairs in an aquarium, fights between the fishes can be the order of the day, we could observe this several times with the very popular Hawaiian surgeonfish (Zebrasoma flavescens).
The scalpel-like blades can cause deep cuts, this is also true for the careless aquarist who wants to touch or catch the fish with unprotected hands.
Another problem can occur if one wants to catch surgeonfish with a landing net and transfer them after catching, the horn blade can easily get caught in the net.
Caution: Careless handling of the animal can cause deep cuts!
