Common Name: Lavender Tang
Scientific Name: Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Care Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-peaceful
Adult Size: Approximately 8 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Herbivore. Marine algae, nori, spirulina-based foods, vegetable-rich pellets and flakes
Activity Level: Very active swimmer and constant grazer
The Lavender Tang is a sleek and elegant surgeonfish known for its soft lavender-gray body coloration accented by subtle blue undertones and fine facial markings. A thin orange to rust-colored edge along the dorsal and anal fins adds contrast, while the streamlined body shape gives this species a refined, modern appearance in reef aquariums.
Highly active and alert, the Lavender Tang spends much of the day swimming in open water and grazing along rock surfaces. Like other tangs, it plays a valuable role in algae control by feeding on film algae and microalgae, contributing to overall aquarium balance.
This species is best suited for established reef systems with ample swimming space and mature rockwork. While generally well-behaved, the Lavender Tang can be territorial toward similar-shaped tangs, especially in smaller aquariums. When provided proper space and stable conditions, it becomes a hardy, engaging, and visually appealing centerpiece fish.
The Lavender Tang is reef safe and compatible with corals and invertebrates, making it an excellent choice for mixed reef displays where movement, color, and function are equally important.
The Lavender Tang thrives in stable reef aquariums with strong water movement, high oxygenation, and abundant grazing surfaces. A varied, algae-based diet is essential for long-term health. It is best kept as the only tang of similar shape in smaller systems, though it can coexist with dissimilar tang species in larger aquariums.
Common Name: Lavender Tang
Scientific Name: Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Care Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-peaceful
Adult Size: Approximately 8 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Herbivore. Marine algae, nori, spirulina-based foods, vegetable-rich pellets and flakes
Activity Level: Very active swimmer and constant grazer
The Lavender Tang is a sleek and elegant surgeonfish known for its soft lavender-gray body coloration accented by subtle blue undertones and fine facial markings. A thin orange to rust-colored edge along the dorsal and anal fins adds contrast, while the streamlined body shape gives this species a refined, modern appearance in reef aquariums.
Highly active and alert, the Lavender Tang spends much of the day swimming in open water and grazing along rock surfaces. Like other tangs, it plays a valuable role in algae control by feeding on film algae and microalgae, contributing to overall aquarium balance.
This species is best suited for established reef systems with ample swimming space and mature rockwork. While generally well-behaved, the Lavender Tang can be territorial toward similar-shaped tangs, especially in smaller aquariums. When provided proper space and stable conditions, it becomes a hardy, engaging, and visually appealing centerpiece fish.
The Lavender Tang is reef safe and compatible with corals and invertebrates, making it an excellent choice for mixed reef displays where movement, color, and function are equally important.
The Lavender Tang thrives in stable reef aquariums with strong water movement, high oxygenation, and abundant grazing surfaces. A varied, algae-based diet is essential for long-term health. It is best kept as the only tang of similar shape in smaller systems, though it can coexist with dissimilar tang species in larger aquariums.
