Gold rim tang (Acanthurus nigricans) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Goldrim surgeonfish, Velvet surgeon, Whitecheek surgeonfish, Yellow-banded surgeonfish, Yellowrimmed surgeonfish
Family
Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes, tangs and unicornfishes)
Origin
Central Indo-Pacific to the eastern Pacific, including Hawaii; hard substrates in clear lagoons and seaward reefs from the surface to 67 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
36 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
900 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a large reef tank with live rock and plenty of open swimming space. an estimated minimum of about 900 litres (our estimate from the adult size and habits). Water: our sources give no species-specific figures, so the values shown (24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, SG 1.023–1.026) are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific. Like other surgeonfish it needs well-oxygenated water with strong flow and stable quality. Behaviour: lives close to the reef; juveniles shelter among large corals. The article gives a fork length of up to 36 cm. Tangs are prone to marine white spot (Cryptocaryon irritans) and velvet, so quarantine new arrivals. Handling: like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp, scalpel-like blade on each side of the tail base that it raises when threatened and that can cut hands deeply. Move it in a container rather than by hand. Trade and status: IUCN: Least Concern. Not CITES-listed. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurusnigricans). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Our sources do not describe its diet; it is a grazing surgeonfish. Feed marine algae and nori, spirulina-based foods and some meaty foods several times a day.

Breeding

Our sources give no breeding information; not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe. Can be aggressive towards other tangs, especially similar Acanthurus species such as powder blue and powder brown tangs.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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