Powder Grey Tang - Acanthurus nigricans - Medium

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The Powder Grey Tang (Acanthurus nigricans) is also known as the Goldrim Tang or the Whitecheek Tang. It is also sometimes incorrectly classified as A. glaucopareius, a former name and junior synonym.

The Powder Grey Tang has a brownish-grey body with a white tail and a white blotch below each eye. The dorsal and anal fins are very dark brown-black with yellow along the base. The base of the tail matches the body color and the spine in its middle is yellow. There is also a yellow vertical stripe through the tail. The very similar Powder Brown Tang (A. japonicus) has an orange patch in the dorsal fin and yellow through the base of the tail which is abscent in the Powder Grey Tang.

Tangs and Surgeonfish are some of the most popular and common fish found in the aquarium trade. This group includes several genuses that can be associated with the various common name groups although "Surgeonfish" and "Tang" are often used interchangeably: Acanthurus ("Surgeonfish"), Naso ("Unicorn Tangs"), Ctenochaetus ("Bristletooth Tangs") and Zebrasoma ("Tangs"). They are found in almost every tropical oceans and in almost every color and pattern. The common names "surgeonfish" or "doctorfish" comes from the tiny scalpel-like spine at the base of the fish's tail. They use this spine as defense and will extend the spine if threatened. You may witness the tang shimmying up against another tang or fish; this is a sign of aggression as they may be using this spine to ward off the other fish. Always use caution when handling or netting a tang since this spine can become caught or cause injuries.

Tangs and Surgeonfish are omnivores but a large part of the diet of most species consists of algae and plant matter. Tangs should also be given some meaty food to round out their diet. However, tangs that are fed primarily meaty foods over a long period of time are more likely to suffer from head and lateral line erosion (HLLE). HLLE disease in the short run is not fatal, but over time if the disease continues to progress the fish will stop eating and become lethargic and susceptible to other infections which may eventually contribute to its demise. The best treatment is prevention; maintain excellent water quality and feed a rich and varied diet. Supplementing with a multivitamin (A, D, E, B complex, and Iodine) may also help prevent further erosion.

Tangs are generally community fish and get along with most other tankmates. Most do not bother corals and can actually help keep nuisance algae trimmed and under control, especially "Bristletooth Tangs" from the Ctenochaetus genus. Tangs may get territorial and aggressive towards similar tangs, so always use caution when keeping these fish together or with other fish that have a similar body shape or coloration.

Visit That Fish Blog for more information on Tangs and Surgeonfish and other aquarium-related topics from our marine biologists and aquatic staff.