Dr. John Ernest (Jack) Randall (†), Hawaii
Info
Ctenochaetus flavicauda is a Tang from the Pacific Ocean. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. Inhabits coral reefs from the shallow waters to depths of at least 30 m.
It grows to a size of 11.8 cm (4.6 in) in length, making it the smallest ctenochaetus tang, and also the smallest acanthurid. As a juvenile it is a bright yellow color, as an adult it is reddish brown color with orange colored fine horizontal striping, the tail is white and the eye is ringed by bright yellow.
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!
It grows to a size of 11.8 cm (4.6 in) in length, making it the smallest ctenochaetus tang, and also the smallest acanthurid. As a juvenile it is a bright yellow color, as an adult it is reddish brown color with orange colored fine horizontal striping, the tail is white and the eye is ringed by bright yellow.
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!
