I have been wanting to start keeping a monitor for a while now and have heard that red/yellow Acanthurus Monitors (Ackies) can be easier to take care of than other types of monitor since they are smaller/less agressive/hardier.

While them being smaller could obviously make it easier to take care of is there anything noticeable about the temperament that would make them different from other monitors? Anyone who has taken care of Ackies as well as different species of monitor who can attest to whether this is true or false?

Ive never cared for Ackies, but Ive cared for water monitros who seem to have great temperments...BTW welcome to the HCN

I've recently puchased a couple about two months ago. They are awesome.
Mine are adults so I don't know if they were handled alot as young. But I handle them now with no problem. They are very ferocious eaters though so no hand feeding.Trust me I know about that. They are basically all the monitor you ever want in a small package. I've done a lot of research before buying mine so any questions I can give you info.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Ah ok thank you. I was also thinking about water monitors but decided they would be far too big to house comfortably where I live.

As for other questions do they need to be kept in pairs or are they fine on their own, also do they require pinky mice or other feeders ordered online or can you substitute things you can get locally like pet store insects,commercial foods, or specially prepared meats from a grocery store

Their main diet is insects. Once a week pinkies or thawed turkey. They are a communal reptile so I think they definitely benefit from being kept in pairs. I wouldn't think keeping them singly would matter if you got a hatchling. I wouldn't break up a pair though.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa