Fun Convict Surgeonfish Facts For Kids

The convict surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus), most commonly known as the convict tang, belongs to the family Acanthuridae and is a common pet fish known throughout the world due to its vast habitats.Convict tangs are adaptable in nature and are suitable for community tank setups or tang only aquariums. Since convict tangs are docile, they should not be kept with other tangs or surgeonfish as these fish are known to be bullies. A tank with a minimum of 75 gal (283.9 L) of water is needed for the convict tang to swim and explore freely.Convict tangs are great for aquarists who have a bit of experience with fish as they are a fairly hardy species and require little to moderate care for survival. These tangs, because they are not endangered, are abundantly found in their natural habitats.If you liked these facts about convict surgeonfish, then you’ll surely like these facts about ocean surgeonfish and black surgeonfish too!

What do they prey on? N/A

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? N/A

How much do they weigh? N/A

How long are they? 5-10 in (12.7-25.4 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? White or yellow with vertical black stripes

Skin Type Wet and slimy scales

What were their main threats? Eels, Eagle Rays, Larger Fish Species

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Lagoons And Coral Reefs

Locations The Indian Ocean, The Indo-pacific Ocean, The North, South, And Eastern Pacific (Gulf Of California)

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Acanthurus

Class Actinopterygii

Family Acanthuridae

Convict Surgeonfish Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a convict surgeonfish?A convict surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus), also known as a convict tang, is a small surgeonfish species belonging to the Acanthuridae family and the Acanthurus genus. Convict tangs are a social marine fish species and are often found in large schools. The convict tang is one of the smallest tang species making it a great addition to your aquarium or community fish tank setup.What class of animal does a convict surgeonfish belong to?Convict surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus) are ray-finned fish. They are tangs that belong to the Actinopterygii class of animals.How many convict surgeonfish are there in the world?It is difficult to pinpoint the exact population of the convict tang as these fish are known for breeding and spawning eggs frequently. Since these fish are found worldwide, they are commonly kept as pet fish. The population of convict tangs is scattered throughout the globe. In the wild, convict tangs are found in large schools and have a vast distribution in their natural habitat so the estimated population of these fish is difficult to determine.Where does a convict surgeonfish live?The convict surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus) is a tropical fish that is commonly found throughout the world in tropical waters, in the Indo-Pacific, the eastern Pacific (Gulf of California, Mexico, Panama, the Galapagos Islands), and the Hawaiian Islands. They are widespread through shallow reefs where the primary source of food for convict tangs is coral from reefs. With a vast habitat range such as this, it is no surprise that these marine fish are distributed equally throughout coral reefs worldwide.What is a convict surgeonfish’s habitat?Convict surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus) are found in lagoons, estuaries, reef slopes, coral reefs, and bays. The convict tang usually prefers to live in shallow reef areas with a wide range of food sources in the form of algae. Adults, as well as juveniles, are also found in tide pools and nearshore habitats that see low currents. Due to the convict tang being abundant in nature, it is collected for the aquarium trade in the south Pacific, mainly Hawaii, and other parts of the eastern Pacific and Indo Pacific regions. The convict tang species is found in temperatures ranging from 75.2-78.8 F (24-26 C) and at a depth of 0-295 ft (0-90 m). Adults are usually found in deep waters and juveniles are found in shallow waters.Who do convict surgeonfish live with?Convict surgeonfish, adults and juveniles, are found in large and small groups or schools in the sea and ocean. In many cases, they also exist individually with both males and females showing territorial behavior. Convict tangs interact with other tangs during the breeding season.In a tank or aquarium setup, convict tangs are usually less territorial than other tangs. It is recommended to not keep the convict surgeonfish in the same aquarium as more aggressive fish species because convict surgeonfish are shyer than most surgeonfish. In the wild, the convict tang is observed playing dead when it senses danger.In some cases, convict tangs can be seen in congregations or schools with up to thousands of other tangs. They are also found with other algae-eating fish species like parrotfishes and rabbit fishes.How long does a convict surgeonfish live?The average lifespan of convict tangs in captivity is between five to seven years and the life expectancy can be extended by a year or two with proper care and a good diet of food including algae, corals, insect larvae, and other frozen food.The lifespan of convict surgeonfish in their natural habitats, tropical waters, Indo Pacific regions, and the eastern Pacific (Gulf of California), is currently unknown due to a lack of sufficient data.How do they reproduce?In captivity, convict tangs are one of the easiest fish to breed due to their adaptability. In the wild, spawning takes place at dusk, when small groups of breeding tangs separate from larger groups and females release eggs into open water which males will fertilize.Larvae or eggs float along with plankton after spawning and will continue to do so for a period of about two months. Larvae make their way to tide pools where they are protected and develop in them until they are juveniles. These juveniles will leave the small group, travel to other schools and will join a family to spend their lives with.In a tank or aquarium set up, they do not breed because the juvenile, with its free floating body form, ends up getting stuck in aquarium filters.What is their conservation status?Currently, the convict tang has been listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List thanks to a large marine habitat range and a widely distributed population. However, in some regions, these fish fall victim to overfishing or face habitat loss due to the loss of coral reef areas and coral reef habitats.Convict tangs are edible and in many regions are a part of the diet of the local fishermen. When they are not being used as a food source, the convict tang is sold in the pet trade as it is a popular fish thanks to its easy availability. Due to the large demand for suitable fish in an aquarium or coral reef tank setup, the population of convict tangs is stable.Convict Surgeonfish Fun FactsWhat do convict surgeonfish look like?Convict surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus) have oval bodies much like other tangs and are laterally compressed. They have a caudal fin that is concave in shape with tiny and tightly spaced scales. A short caudal peduncle can be seen on the body with a sharp, erectile spine on each side in the form of a groove.Convict tangs vary from white to almost olive green with a white underside and a yellow edged dorsal fin. Six vertical black stripes can be seen on each side with one on the head, one on the caudal peduncle, and four on the body.Spines on the body of a convict tang are smaller in length compared to spines of other tangs. These sharp caudal spines are used to scare off predators.How cute are they?Convict tangs are docile and friendly in nature and love to interact with people. However, they do get shy and hide in decorations. The small size and friendly nature make this fish cute to the core.How do they communicate?Convict tangs use sight, vibrations and sound to perceive their surroundings. Due to a lack of data, not much can be stated about the interspecies communication of these fish.How big is a convict surgeonfish?A juvenile convict tang grows 80% of its total body length during the first four to five years of its life. After that, these fish grow slowly. With sexual dimorphism common in these fish, one sex is larger than the other. In this case, females are larger with a body length of 8.5 in (21.5 cm) compared to males who grow only 5.5 in (13.9 cm).How fast can a convict surgeonfish swim?Due to insufficient data, not much can be stated about the speed at which these fish swim.How much does a convict surgeonfish weigh?The weight of the convict tang or surgeonfish cannot be stated due to a lack of data.What are the male and female names of the species?No particular name has been assigned to either sex.What would you call a baby convict surgeonfish?A baby convict surgeonfish has no specific name. However, eggs are called larvae, freshly hatched babies are called fries and a growing convict baby is called a juvenile.What do they eat?Convict tangs are usually herbivorous in nature but they also enjoy eating shrimp or small crustaceans, making them more of an omnivorous fish. A large portion of the diet of these fish consists of marine algae and coral.In a tank or aquarium setup, these fish should be fed frozen meaty meals like frozen shrimp, pellets, and flakes. If your tank has rocks and other decorations, these fish will scrape off algae growing on rocks and feed on it.Are they dangerous?Not at all. Convict tangs are fairly docile fish and do not attack or get aggressive unless provoked. They use their sharp caudal spines to attack or scare predators off when they feel threatened.Would they make a good pet?Yes! The convict tang is one of the most common aquarium fish that is readily available worldwide. Convict tangs can be found in pet stores or online and usually cost between $22-$50 per fish.Convict tangs are fairly hardy and will adapt to various living spaces. An aquarium 75 gal (283.9 L) or larger is recommended for these fish to explore and swim in the enclosure. A power-head or wavemaker is recommended in the aquarium for oxygenated water which they require.Convict tangs are easy to care for but a bit of experience is required in case of health issues. It is important to keep juveniles safe from larger fish in the same enclosure.Did you know…The name surgeonfish comes from the sharp blades that these fish bear on their tails. By flexing their tails, they expose these blades that are used in defense or for fending off other tangs.Convict tangs are important to the marine ecosystem as they keep algae in check and prevent seaweed from taking over coral and reefs.Tangs are fairly popular fish. Dory, from the movie ‘Finding Nemo’, is actually a blue tang!The Anubis tang is the rarest breed of tang found in the wild!Tangs are known for bullying so it is recommended to not mix and match different tangs in one group.Are convict tangs good algae eaters? Yes, convict tangs are good algae eaters. In their natural environment, a large part of the diet of these fish contains algae. In case you cannot get algae for your fish, you can substitute algae with frozen food.What eats a surgeonfish?Due to their small size, convict surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus) are easy prey for larger fish and animals. Some of the most common predators of these fish are the argus grouper, the honeycomb grouper, the black tail snapper, the eagle ray, and the conger eel.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fishes from our red bellied piranha facts and dogtooth tuna facts pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable fishes and loaves coloring pages.

What type of animal is a convict surgeonfish?

A convict surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus), also known as a convict tang, is a small surgeonfish species belonging to the Acanthuridae family and the Acanthurus genus. Convict tangs are a social marine fish species and are often found in large schools. The convict tang is one of the smallest tang species making it a great addition to your aquarium or community fish tank setup.

Fun Convict Surgeonfish Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? N/A

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? N/A

How much do they weigh? N/A

How long are they? 5-10 in (12.7-25.4 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? White or yellow with vertical black stripes

Skin Type Wet and slimy scales

What were their main threats? Eels, Eagle Rays, Larger Fish Species

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Lagoons And Coral Reefs

Locations The Indian Ocean, The Indo-pacific Ocean, The North, South, And Eastern Pacific (Gulf Of California)

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Acanthurus

Class Actinopterygii

Family Acanthuridae

Fun Convict Surgeonfish Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? N/A

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? N/A

How much do they weigh? N/A

How long are they? 5-10 in (12.7-25.4 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? White or yellow with vertical black stripes

Skin Type Wet and slimy scales

What were their main threats? Eels, Eagle Rays, Larger Fish Species

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Lagoons And Coral Reefs

Locations The Indian Ocean, The Indo-pacific Ocean, The North, South, And Eastern Pacific (Gulf Of California)

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Acanthurus

Class Actinopterygii

Family Acanthuridae

Fun Convict Surgeonfish Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? N/A

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? N/A

How much do they weigh? N/A

How long are they? 5-10 in (12.7-25.4 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? White or yellow with vertical black stripes

Skin Type Wet and slimy scales

What were their main threats? Eels, Eagle Rays, Larger Fish Species

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Lagoons And Coral Reefs

Locations The Indian Ocean, The Indo-pacific Ocean, The North, South, And Eastern Pacific (Gulf Of California)

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Acanthurus

Class Actinopterygii

Family Acanthuridae