Powder Brown Tang

The powder brown tang is considered the Pacific counterpart of its close relative, the powder blue tang (Acanthurus leucosternon). It is easily recognized by its dark brown body, the white face patch running from below the eye to the mouth, the orange-yellow lines along the bases of the dorsal and anal fins and the orange area around the tail spine. It adapts to the aquarium noticeably more easily than the powder blue, but it is still a tang prone to marine white spot. Specimens are wild-collected.

• At least 500 liters and 150 cm in length; plenty of open swimming space.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; strong flow and high oxygen.
• Reef-safe; it leaves corals and invertebrates alone.
• A new specimen should be observed in quarantine for 4–6 weeks.

Herbivorous. Dried seaweed (nori), spirulina and foods containing seaweed should be the staple, supplemented with frozen mysis and brine shrimp. Small amounts 2–3 times a day.

It is cantankerous towards its own kind, other Acanthurus tangs and similarly shaped fish; it usually gets along with other fish. If more than one tang is to be kept, it is recommended to add it last.

Good companions: Clownfish, anthias, wrasses, dwarf angelfish, cardinalfish; in a large aquarium, a tang from a different genus (e.g. yellow tang).

Avoid: The powder blue tang and other Acanthurus species, a second powder brown, large triggerfish.