Description

The Sohal Tangfish or Sohal Surgeonfish (Acanthurus Sohal), is a Red Sea endemic which grows to 16″ inches. Its striking blue and white horizontal stripes have made it what many consider the “poster fish” for the Red Sea reef aquarium.

Like other Tangfishes, the Sohal Tangfish or Sohal Surgeonfish is compressed laterally, making it extremely maneuverable and fast along the reef. It has a horizontal, blade-like spine along the base of its tail on both sides, which folds into the fish. During defense and aggression, Sohal Tangfish or Sohal Surgeonfish flick the spine at other fish or intruders, causing physical harm. Its range includes all reef environments in the Red Sea.

The Sohal Tangfish or Sohal Surgeonfish’s primary diet consists mostly of vegetable matter, but occasionally includes the flesh of other animals. Sohal Tangfish or Sohal Surgeonfish have been known to nip at clam mantles and soft large-polyp and small-polyp stony corals. It is one of the most aggressive Tangfish.