How to Feed Saltwater Tangs

Saltwater tangs, frequently referred to as Surgeonfish, come in many different shapes and colors. Keeping tangs healthy and happy in a home aquarium can only be achieved by simulating the tang's natural environment. In addition to maintaining salt and pH levels, it's imperative to feed tangs the kinds of foods they eat in the wild. Tangs are grazers, meaning that they eat constantly throughout the day, so it can be a challenge to keep them satisfied.

Things You'll Need

  • Sheets of nori
  • Veggie flake food
  • Brine shrimp
  • Mysis shrimp
  • Krill
  • Blanched vegetables
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Instructions

    • 1

      Maintain your saltwater tank at a temperature between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit with a pH between 8.0 and 8.4. Keeping your aquarium at a steady temperature and water quality will help to prevent your tangs from becoming stressed and losing their appetites.

    • 2

      Research the particular breed of tangs you own to determine if they have any specific dietary needs or preferences. Most tangs enjoy a diet of algae, veggie flakes, and fresh vegetables but some enjoy a treat of brine shrimp or mysis shrimp.

    • 3

      Offer your tangs a small sheet of edible red algae, called nori, every day by inserting it into a clip and submerging it in the tank. Nori should be a staple in your tangs' diet because algae makes up the majority of their diet in the wild. You can find sheets of nori, or other types of algae, at your local pet supply store.

    • 4

      Supplement your tangs' diet of algae with vegetable flake foods. Visit your local pet store to peruse the options available and select a formula rich in Vitamin C. Sprinkle a small amount of flake food into your tank at least once a day but only offer as much as your tangs can consume in three to five minutes.

    • 5

      Offer your tangs an occasional treat of brine shrimp, mysis shrimp or krill. These foods come in live, dried, and frozen form and you may need to try some of each with your tangs to determine which they like best. Live foods can be released directly into the tank but frozen foods should be thawed before offering them to your tangs.

    • 6

      Give your tangs fresh vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, and zucchini on a regular basis. Blanch the vegetables for about 30 seconds in boiling water before putting them in a veggie clip and submerging them in the tank. Your tangs will feed on the vegetables voraciously and you may find that the other fish in your tank enjoy them as well.