Acanthurus maculiceps

Datasheet

General Description

The Freckled surgeonfish, scientifically known as Acanthurus maculiceps, belongs to the Acanthuridae family, recognized for their primary diet of various algae types, making them a favored choice for coral aquariums. These fish typically possess a scalpel near their caudal fin, utilized for defense. They may closely resemble juvenile Angelfish to evade predators, complicating identification from adult pictures.

Aquarium Suitability

Requiring a tank capacity of at least 1500 liters, Freckled surgeonfish impose elevated demands on water quality, tank size, and surroundings compared to species in the Zebrasoma genus. While they aid in maintaining an algae-free environment, care must be taken concerning aggression, especially towards similar species, and ensuring adequate hiding spots and established territories.

Demands, Care and Hardiness

With an average hardiness level, these surgeonfish necessitate a well-maintained aquarium featuring ample space for swimming, suitable hiding places upon introduction, and a diet primarily comprising algae to uphold their immune system health. They should be integrated into a tank possessing sufficient algae growth on rocks or supplemented with algae-rich nutrition like Spirulina.

Reef Suitability

Considered consistently reef safe, Freckled surgeonfish generally do not pose a threat to corals or invertebrates within a reef environment, though larger, more aggressive species like Palettes/Blue tangs may exhibit exceptions.

Aquarium Setup

Setting up an aquarium for Freckled surgeonfish involves providing a spacious environment for swimming, establishing adequate hiding areas, and ensuring a well-maintained tank with abundant algae growth for grazing. Maintaining proper water parameters, including alkalinity (8-12 kHz), pH (8.1-8.4), salinity (1.020-1.025), and temperature (22.2-25.6°C) is crucial for their thriving.

Behaviour

In an aquarium setting, Freckled surgeonfish are typically peaceful towards other fish species, although their introduction should consider establishing a hierarchy if multiple surgeonfish are included. Aggression may arise, particularly towards similar species, necessitating caution during stocking and observation for stress-inducing behaviors.

Feeding and Diet

The diet of Freckled surgeonfish primarily consists of algae, supplemented with diverse frozen foods like krill, mysis, and artemia. Offering macroalgae like seaweed or nori, along with microalgae such as spirulina, ensures their nutritional needs are met, contributing to their overall health and vitality.

Dimorphism

Freckled surgeonfish may exhibit subtle differences in appearance based on their sex but lack significant dimorphism between males and females. In captivity, successful reproduction of these fish can be challenging and requires specific breeding conditions.

Habitat and Distribution

Native to the East Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific regions, Freckled surgeonfish are found in a wide distribution range spanning from the Maldives to Samoa. They inhabit reef environments, contributing to ecosystem balance through algae consumption and displaying intricate social behaviors within their natural habitats.