Convict Tang

Description:

Convict Tang. The manini (Acanthurus triostegus) is a small surgeonfish in family Acanthuridae of order Perciformes. It is about 5 inches (13 cm) long. It is whitish-yellow with zebra-like black stripes on its sides. It is also known as Convict Tang.

Habitat:

Hawaiian Manini are schooling fish and are found in the shallower oxygen enriched waters of the reef where fine, filamentous algae is abundant. This is in areas where there is little coral, but has lots of rocks or stones that allow the algae to grow well with good sunlight exposure. Being in the Surgeonfish Family, this fish has the characteristic sharp razor-like spur or spine on the caudal peduncle, do not get along well with other same or similar species,and needs plenty of room! For more details about these traits refer to our Tang & Surgeonfish Family Profile.

Notes:

The distribution of Acanthurus sandvicensis in limited to Hawaiian waters. However, someregard the Hawaiian Manini as a sub-species of Acanthurus triostegus. Saw these in the coral reefs off Maui Hawaii.