Powder Brown Tang

Looks how to spot one

Scaled, oval surgeonfish

An oval, flattened tang whose body shifts from brown to bluish or almost yellowish depending on mood. A broad white stripe runs from under the eye down to the upper lip, an orange to pink band lines the soft dorsal fin, and yellow marks the base of the pectoral fins and the tail stem.21

Personality what they are like

An active, social tang that often travels with others of its kind but can also be seen alone. Give it space when keeping it with other similar-looking tangs.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A daytime swimmer that cruises clear, exposed reef areas while grazing. It needs open water to swim plus rock to graze.12

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Marine reef fish for a mature saltwater aquarium. Typical reef-tank conditions are 24-27 C, salinity 1.022-1.025 specific gravity and pH around 8.2, which sits within the 24-28 C water it lives in on the reef. Keep water quality stable and offer algae-based meals every day. The blade-like tail spines are sharp, so move it with a net or container rather than bare hands.31

Home where they are happiest

Lives in clear lagoon and outer reef waters, usually 5-15 m deep in exposed spots. A spacious reef aquarium with good water movement and grazing rock suits it. No minimum tank volume from a primary source was found.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A herbivore that feeds on algae. Base its aquarium diet on marine algae and seaweed foods.1

Company who they like around

Usually found in small to large groups, sometimes alone.12

The story where it all began

Soviet ichthyologist Peter Schmidt described it in 1931 from Kominato on Amami-Oshima in Japan's Ryukyu Islands, first treating it as a form of another surgeonfish. Its scientific name honours Japan, at the northern end of its range.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed May 2010)1

Taxonomy

Family Acanthuridae; described by Peter Schmidt in 1931 as Hepatus aliala japonicus2