A chocolate brown body with a white cheek mask, a yellow dorsal stripe and a blue-edged tail, grazing the rock all day without pause. The powder blue tang's tougher, more forgiving relative.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Ich (white spot)
- Fin rot
- Parasites
Care at a glance
- ExerciseHigh
A busy, energetic swimmer โ keep plenty of open swimming room.
- GroomingAttentive tank care
Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
- Living spaceNano-tank friendly
Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
- Owner experienceFor experienced owners
Rewards owners who know the ropes.
- Commitment10โ20 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Ich (white spot) ยท Fin rot ยท Parasites
๐ Care guide
The Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus) comes from the western Pacific around Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines and reaches about 15 to 21 cm. It is often confused with the very similar Acanthurus nigricans, the whitecheek tang, and the two are separated by the yellow band along the dorsal fin base, which is stronger in japonicus. It is reef safe and grazes algae continuously. Give it 400 litres or more at 24-27C, salinity 1.024 to 1.026, pH 8.1 to 8.4, with strong flow, high oxygen and a long open swimming lane between rock structures. Feed dried nori several times a day plus a marine pellet, mysis and spirulina preparations, since a tang starved of vegetable matter loses weight along the back and becomes vulnerable to disease. Like all Acanthurus it is prone to marine ich, so a quarantine period before introduction is genuinely worth the trouble. It is considerably hardier than the powder blue tang, and it should be the only surgeonfish of its body shape in the tank.
Frequently asked questions
How active is a Powder Brown Tang?
High. A busy, energetic swimmer โ keep plenty of open swimming room.
How much maintenance does a Powder Brown Tang need?
Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality โ stay on top of testing and maintenance.
What tank size does a Powder Brown Tang need?
Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
Is a Powder Brown Tang a good fit for first-time owners?
For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.
How long do Powder Brown Tang live?
10โ20 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Powder Brown Tang?
Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
Similar breeds
Powder Brown Tang community
0 members
Be the first to join this community!
Community feed
Not sure this is the breed for you?
Answer 7 short questions and get ranked matches for your lifestyle.
Try the match quiz