Razor Surgeonfish
Prionurus laticlavius
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Algae Control |
| Diet Type | Herbivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 300 gallons+ |
| Max Size | 24 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Razor Surgeonfish (Prionurus laticlavius), also sold as the Razor Tang or Galapagos Sawtail Tang, is a fast-swimming surgeonfish that spends much of the day grazing film algae from rockwork. Adults are typically gray with a yellow tail and dark facial bars, while juveniles show more yellow coloration.
What You’ll Observe:
- Repeated laps through open water, then quick turns back to graze rock faces
- Most active during the day, with regular “patrol” routes across the tank
- Rushes to clipped seaweed, then returns to grazing between feedings
- Brief side-by-side displays with other tangs as pecking order settles in
Provide a very large aquarium with long swimming lanes and plenty of rockwork so it can graze and retreat as needed. Offer dried seaweed daily plus a mix of herbivore pellets and frozen foods to keep it well-fed and less interested in sampling fleshy corals.
Why do some Razor Surgeonfish ignore nuisance algae even when they’re “algae eaters”?
Many will still graze constantly, but they may focus on film algae and microalgae you barely notice; offering sheets of nori helps keep their grazing behavior consistent.
Can this fish suddenly start picking at LPS after months of behaving?
Some hobbyists report “new” coral sampling after a change in feeding rhythm or tank dynamics; increasing easy-to-access seaweed feedings often redirects that attention.
How do you reduce chasing when adding it to a tank with other tangs?
Rearranging a small section of rockwork and using multiple feeding clips can spread fish out and help the group settle into separate routines.
Is it normal for a new Razor Surgeonfish to wedge into rockwork to rest?
Yes—many tangs choose a consistent crevice or ledge to “park” in at night once they learn the layout.
What prepared foods usually get the best response once it’s acclimated?
Most transition well to a rotation of nori, herbivore pellets, and frozen blends; keeping feedings frequent and varied tends to maintain steady body weight.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
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