Convict Surgeon Fish - Small

Convict Surgeonfish

The Convict Surgeonfish has 6 distinctive black bars running vertically down its body. The front bar covers the Convicts' eye, with 4 bars crossing the body and a smaller bar at the base of the tail. It is an off-white colour and which makes the dark bars stand out. It does have a caudal spine, but it is not well-developed or used for defence. The Convict Surgeonfish is one of the smaller Tangs, but they occasionally reach 10.6 inches (27 cm).

Male Convict Surgeonfish are smaller than their female counterparts. It is not easy to breed Tangs in captivity, larvae are extremely difficult to rear. Close to the equator, Convict Surgeonfish spawn all year round. But the spawning season gets shorter further North and South. They are group spawners but stay together in pairs within the group. Males can change colour during spawning. This is to attract a female and also act as a deterrent to other males. When spawning occurs, a male and female pair will rise to the surface and release their gametes.

This species is common across the Indo-Pacific region. Areas include Africa, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Tahiti, and Fiji. They inhabit reef slopes, lagoons, and estuaries, to a depth of 90 meters.

Tank Recommendations for Convict Surgeonfish
A suitable tank needs to be 6 feet long or larger, with a capacity of at least 125 gallons (473 liters).

Convict Surgeonfish are quite hardy. They are suitable for beginner - intermediate aquarists. These are active fish and need plenty of swimming space. They can inhabit a reef or fish-only aquarium but are not suitable for nano tanks.

There should be enough light to promote algae growth and an amount of Live Rock for grazing and shelter. Arrange rock and coral so there are crevices and caves for Convicts to hide in at night.

Suitable Tank Buddies
Convict Surgeonfish are semi-aggressive but, in comparison to other Tangs, are quite docile. There shouldn't be any problems housing them in a peaceful community tank. They can also stay in a small school of conspecifics if they are introduced as juveniles at the same time. Aquarists will need a sufficiently large aquarium to accommodate a school of Convicts.

Usually Compatible
Conspecifics should be ok. Small docile fish such as Assessors, Dartfish, and Gobies can cohabit peacefully. Even more aggressive small fish such as Dottybacks and Damsels can be housed in the same tank. Slow swimmers such as Scooter Blennies or Mandarins won’t be harassed.

Sometime Compatible
Larger semi-aggressive and aggressive fish will need monitoring. For example, aggressive Angelfish may cause an issue. Convict Surgeonfish can cohabit with other species of Tang if they don’t look the same. But more aggressive Tangs may harass it.

Rarely Compatible
Pipefish and Seahorses shouldn't cohabit with Convict Surgeonfish. Clown and Sohal Tangs are too aggressive. Aggressive Triggerfish, Lionfish, and Large Groupers should also be avoided.

Feeding Your Convict Surgeonfish
Convict Surgeonfish are omnivores. In the wild, they eat algae and weeds but will also consume small crustaceans and corals. A beneficial diet should include flake food, pellets, spirulina, and algae. Live rock with algae provides them with a grazing opportunity. Seaweed such as Nori can also be attached to the tank with a vegetable clip. Feeding should occur 3 times per day with small servings.