Tank setup
A minimum 500L aquarium suits Convict Tang. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Convict Tang.
Avg. price
R100
Community Marketplace
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Convict Tang is named for its distinctive pattern: a white or silvery-yellow body marked with six vertical black bars, reminiscent of a prison uniform. They are a schooling species, which is unusual for tangs in the aquarium, and are often seen in large groups grazing on algae in the wild. In the home aquarium, they are active swimmers and voracious herbivores that will help control film algae. They are generally peaceful but, like all surgeonfish, possess a sharp scalpel at their tail and require ample swimming room and a herbivore-rich diet. They are known for being more fragile during acclimation than other tangs.
Key traits
peaceful
schooling
community
reef safe
large
moderate
herbivore
algae eater
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Convict Tang healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 8.1–8.4 and 24–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Convict Tang is herbivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for saltwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Convict Tang is generally peaceful. Keep in a group where possible for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in saltwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Convict Tang vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Keeping marine fish?
Marine chemistry moves daily — the foundation sets keep calcium, alkalinity and magnesium honest.
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
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Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R50–350 · Average: R167
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Demand by province
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Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Convict Tang, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
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Six Line Wrasse
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