Acanthurus japonicus

(Schmidt, 1931)

Powder Brown Tang/Gold Rimmed Tang

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Philippines, Indonesia, and north to Southern Japan.

Size: 8 inches (20 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow coastal reefs and usually found at depths between 15 - 50 feet (5 - 15 m) where it feeds mainly on filamentous algae.

General Husbandry: Somewhat common in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes with a brownish body with a white mark between the eye and the mouth, brown dorsal and anal fins with white edging, with the dorsal also having a reddish orange stripe, and yellow edging on the upper and lower edges of the aft body.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and turbulent, well-oxygenated water flow.

Requires a varied vegetable diet, including fresh macroalgae, Spirulina, zucchini, broccoli, dried seaweed (Nori), and enriched vegetable flakes, and requires two or three feedings per day. Will browse on filamentous and microalgae.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Acanthuroidei

Family: Acanthuridae

Genus: Acanthurus

FYI: One per tank.

Has a sharp forward pointing spine on each side of the caudal peduncle, which folds into a groove. Erected when excited. Handle with care!

Can be quite aggressive towards others in the family.

This makes a much better choice than does A. nigricans, which has similar appearance/common names.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Herbivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Moderately aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.5