Info on this tang: Acanthurus maculiceps

[Saltyunderground]

Anyone know anything about this tang: Acanthurus maculiceps?

I am trying to find out if it does well in aquariums, aggressive or not, max size, min. aquarium size for fish, prone to disease. Any info anyone has would be helpful.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[jenajet]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/badacanthurusaq.htm

http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/z...maculiceps.htm

Most reading is saying not to put them in home aquarium due to size. apparently they have a short life span if you do try to get one.

[Saltyunderground]

It is a little confusing to tell if the fish listed above the disqualified due to size info was included in that warning. But who wants a fish with "copious defecation"? Not something I look for.

[jenajet]

Well all fish poop but big fish poop more! LOL I guess poop isn't a technical enough word for wet web. I really havn't found much more info, I guess because it's not big in the aquarium trade there just isn't much out there.

[crvz]

It's probably defecates as all tangs do! (I just wanted to use the term defecate) I've seen some of these before, and they are beautiful, but any fish that gets to that size (16") won't be happy in most "large" systems. Though I'm sure others disagree, I'd be uncomfortable putting that fish in a tank that has a footprint smaller than about 10'x3'.

[kalel1976]

I have yet to see a large speciman for sale. Most that are avail. are still fairly small 3"-4" range and it will take a few years if ever for it to reach a size unsuitable for home aquaria unless you are planning on putting it something smaller than a 180.
That being said, they can be territorial just like most Acanthurus tangs and need to be fed a heavy diet in order to maintain their health. If your tank is an SPS dominated tank it may not be the best option as it will add a heavy bioload.
If you can get a healthy speciman and place it in a suitable tank without other territorial tangs they can be failry disease resistant.