White freckled surgeon (Acanthurus maculiceps) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Yellow-freckled surgeonfish, Pale-lined surgeonfish, Spotted-faced surgeonfish, Earbar surgeonfish
Family
Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes, tangs and unicornfishes)
Origin
Indo-West Pacific, Maldives and Ryukyu Islands to the Line Islands and the Great Barrier Reef; clear outer reef flats and seaward reefs at 1–15 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
1000 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a large tank with open swimming space and good flow. an estimated minimum of about 1000 litres (our estimate from the adult size and habits). Water: our sources give no species-specific figures, so the values shown (24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, SG 1.023–1.026) are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific. Like other surgeonfish it needs well-oxygenated water with strong flow and stable quality. Behaviour: alone or in small groups in the wild. The article gives 40 cm standard length. Tangs are prone to marine white spot (Cryptocaryon irritans) and velvet, so quarantine new arrivals. Handling: like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp, scalpel-like blade on each side of the tail base that it raises when threatened and that can cut hands deeply. Move it in a container rather than by hand. Trade and status: IUCN: Least Concern. Not CITES-listed. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurusmaculiceps). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes algae and detritus. Give marine algae, nori and spirulina-based foods several times a day, with some meaty foods.

Breeding

Males brighten in colour when spawning and the eggs float; not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe. May fight with other Acanthurus tangs.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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