Lavender tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Brown surgeonfish, Blackspot surgeonfish, Brown tang, Dusky surgeon, Spot-cheeked surgeonfish
Family
Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes, tangs and unicornfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, East Africa and the Red Sea to southern Japan, Hawaii, Pitcairn and New South Wales; sheltered coral and rocky reefs to 25 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
21 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
450 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a reef tank with live rock and open swimming space. an estimated minimum of about 450 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: usually in small groups, forming large schools offshore; a smaller tang that larger species can bully. 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: collected for the aquarium trade. IUCN: Least Concern. Not CITES-listed. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurusnigrofuscus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes algae from the reef. Feed marine algae and nori, spirulina-based foods and some meaty foods several times a day.

Breeding

Gathers in large spawning aggregations in the wild; not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe. May be bullied by larger tangs; best with other peaceful community fish.

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

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