Herbivorous Reef Tank Fish

Herbivorous reef fish are gorgeous and exotic pets for any home aquarium. While herbivorous fish thrive in natural settings, they can live and grow in harmony with one another in a well-maintained tank. Choosing a tank that holds at least 15 gallons, according to the Aquaria Central website, provides enough area for average herbivorous fish to reside.

  1. Appearance

    • Herbivorous fish are mainly narrow and slender in size with bulbous eyes and distinct fins. The shades and tints of herbivorous fish scales are bold and range with all sorts of colors. Achilles surgeonfish, for example, have a purple body with spots of blaze orange and bright white. Alternatively, chevron tang have violet, green, yellow and orange colors that are so bright in some areas that the skin seems to glow.

    Food

    • Algae are perhaps the main source of food for herbivorous reef fish. Herbivorous fish prefer freshly growing algae, although a reef tank owner can drop dry algae into the tank as a source of vitamins. Live corral is also an essential meal. Herbivorous fish will absorb the nutrients in live corral as an alternative source of chow. While live corral is often hard to obtain, placing the real version into a tank will prevent fish from attempting to feed off of ceramic substitutes, which can cause them harm.

    Size

    • Select herbivorous fish that will fit the tank you choose. Purple or emperor tang and brown sailfin, for example, mature to lengths stretching only several inches. Alternatively, a plecostomus catfish may grow up to 18 inches in length, while a spotted unicornfish can stretch beyond 23 inches. While herbivorous fish will not feed off one another, orange shoulder surgeonfish, for example, are territorial by nature -- no matter how small -- and may not get along with other herbivorous mates at first.

    Tank

    • An herbivorous reef fish tank demands a water pump to keep the water flowing and bacteria at a minimum. Saltwater is necessary for herbivorous fish habitats and a steady temperature between 74 and 82 degrees, according to Aquaria Central, will keep your exotic pets cozy. Consider a 45-gallon tank, for example, for holding any fish that may reach 18 inches in length. A standard pH level between 5.0 and 7.0 also will keep the water chemistry at a healthy balance.