Powder brown tang (Acanthurus japonicus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Japan surgeonfish, White-faced surgeonfish, White-nose surgeonfish, Gold rim tang
Family
Acanthuridae (surgeonfishes, tangs and unicornfishes)
Origin
Western Pacific, southern Japan to Sulawesi; small schools in clear water on lagoon and seaward reefs at 1–20 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
500 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a reef tank with live rock and plenty of swimming space. an estimated minimum of about 500 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: forms small schools in the wild. Its colour shifts with mood, from brown to bluish to almost yellow. 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. Note that "gold rim tang" is also used for Acanthurus nigricans, so check the scientific name when buying. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurusjaponicus). 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. May fight with other similar Acanthurus tangs such as the powder blue tang.

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

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