How big does a Lieutenant Tang get?

Adult Lieutenant Tangs can grow up to 31 cm (12 inches) in length, which is why they require an aquarium of at least 600 litres to swim comfortably.

Can I keep two Lieutenant Tangs together?

It is generally not recommended unless you have an exceptionally large system (over 1,500 litres). They are highly territorial and will fight aggressively with their own kind in standard-sized aquariums.

Is the Lieutenant Tang reef safe?

Yes, they are considered completely reef-safe. They spend their days grazing on nuisance algae that grows on rocks and will ignore both soft and stony corals.

Why is my Lieutenant Tang losing its colour?

Colour loss is often a sign of stress, poor water quality, or an inadequate diet. Ensure they are receiving plenty of vitamin-enriched marine algae (like nori) and check your water parameters for irregularities.

Will a Lieutenant Tang eat hair algae?

Yes, they are excellent algae grazers and will consume many types of nuisance microalgae and filamentous hair algae, making them a great utility fish for large reef tanks.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Lieutenant Tang

Acanthurus tennentii

The Lieutenant Tang is a robust, active surgeonfish characterised by striking blue margins and the distinctive military-style shoulder stripes that give it its name.

List this species for sale Find Lieutenant Tang near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 28 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 25 – 31 cm
600L+: 600 litres+
Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
Diet: Herbivore
Water flow: High
Preferred setup: Live rock with ample swimming space

About the Lieutenant Tang

Native to the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, Acanthurus tennentii is a visually fascinating and highly active addition to large marine aquariums. It undergoes a remarkable developmental transformation; juveniles exhibit a dark horseshoe shape on their shoulder, which later splits into the two distinct, lieutenant-style horizontal bars seen on mature adults. Though their primary base colour is a muted olive to grey-blue, vibrant neon blue accents along the fins make them an incredibly handsome species.

Find Lieutenant Tang

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check Lieutenant Tang against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Lieutenant Tang comes from

Native range

Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific

Countries / regions

Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia

Habitat

Coastal reef slopes, lagoons, and seaward reefs with rock and coral rubble

Commonly found in shallow waters up to 20 metres deep, traversing reef flats to graze.

Similar species

Powder Blue Tang
Acanthurus leucosternon
Clown Tang
Acanthurus lineatus
Sohal Tang
Acanthurus sohal

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful, occupies different tank zones, and will not compete with the tang for territory.
Great
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loricula
Active but robust enough to ignore the tang, while possessing a completely different body shape that avoids triggering aggression.
Great
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Halichoeres chrysus
Busy, peaceful substrate-dweller that will stay completely out of the Lieutenant Tang's way.
Great
Powder Blue Tang
Acanthurus leucosternon
Sharing the same genus, they are highly likely to fight over territory unless the aquarium is exceptionally large (over 1,000 litres).
Compatible with caution
Seahorses
Hippocampus spp.
The strong water flow required for the tang, combined with its large size and active swimming, will easily stress and outcompete delicate seahorses.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Lieutenant Tang listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Lieutenant Tang in this market yet.

Looking for Lieutenant Tang?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Lieutenant Tang listings Post a wanted request