The Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)—also known as the Powder Brown Surgeonfish, Japan Surgeonfish, and White-Faced Surgeonfish—is a beautifully marked tang prized for its sharp contrast and refined coloration. It features a smooth chocolate-brown body, a crisp white facial patch between the eyes and mouth, and striking fin coloration. The dorsal fin displays an elegant orange stripe along the edge, while the anal and pectoral fins are dark with soft blue highlights. The tail fin is light blue with a vivid orange vertical bar, and a distinct yellow streak runs along the body, forming a wishbone-like mark along the dorsal and anal fin bases.
Graceful yet bold, the Powder Brown Tang is a beautiful showpiece in medium-to-large reef aquariums and is known for its constant grazing behavior.
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive, especially toward other tangs
Reef Safe: Yes
Adult Size: ~8 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 125+ gallons for long-term health
Swimming Needs: High—requires open, unobstructed swimming room
Important: Keep only one Powder Brown Tang per aquarium. They can be very hostile toward tangs of similar shape or species.
Chocolate-brown body
White facial patch between the eyes and mouth
Orange dorsal stripe
Blue-edged fins with dark centers
Blue tail fin with an orange bar
Distinct yellow wishbone marking along the body edge
The combination of white, orange, blue, and yellow creates a truly elegant surgeonfish with exceptional contrast.
Primarily Herbivore
Feed:
Marine-based seaweed & nori
Herbivore pellets and spirulina
Occasional mysis/brine for additional protein
Constant grazing on live rock
Seaweed feeding (3× weekly minimum) boosts:
Immune strength
Color vibrancy
Reduced aggression
Overall long-term health
Recommended foods: Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad, Ocean Nutrition Nori.
Best kept as the only tang of its shape in the tank
Can be aggressive toward other tangs and surgeonfish
Peaceful with most reef-safe community fish
Completely reef safe with corals and invertebrates
Large reef tanks (125+ gallons)
Hobbyists seeking a refined, high-contrast tang
Aquariums needing a consistent algae grazer
Experienced keepers who understand tang dynamics
The Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)—also known as the Powder Brown Surgeonfish, Japan Surgeonfish, and White-Faced Surgeonfish—is a beautifully marked tang prized for its sharp contrast and refined coloration. It features a smooth chocolate-brown body, a crisp white facial patch between the eyes and mouth, and striking fin coloration. The dorsal fin displays an elegant orange stripe along the edge, while the anal and pectoral fins are dark with soft blue highlights. The tail fin is light blue with a vivid orange vertical bar, and a distinct yellow streak runs along the body, forming a wishbone-like mark along the dorsal and anal fin bases.
Graceful yet bold, the Powder Brown Tang is a beautiful showpiece in medium-to-large reef aquariums and is known for its constant grazing behavior.
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive, especially toward other tangs
Reef Safe: Yes
Adult Size: ~8 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 125+ gallons for long-term health
Swimming Needs: High—requires open, unobstructed swimming room
Important: Keep only one Powder Brown Tang per aquarium. They can be very hostile toward tangs of similar shape or species.
Chocolate-brown body
White facial patch between the eyes and mouth
Orange dorsal stripe
Blue-edged fins with dark centers
Blue tail fin with an orange bar
Distinct yellow wishbone marking along the body edge
The combination of white, orange, blue, and yellow creates a truly elegant surgeonfish with exceptional contrast.
Primarily Herbivore
Feed:
Marine-based seaweed & nori
Herbivore pellets and spirulina
Occasional mysis/brine for additional protein
Constant grazing on live rock
Seaweed feeding (3× weekly minimum) boosts:
Immune strength
Color vibrancy
Reduced aggression
Overall long-term health
Recommended foods: Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad, Ocean Nutrition Nori.
Best kept as the only tang of its shape in the tank
Can be aggressive toward other tangs and surgeonfish
Peaceful with most reef-safe community fish
Completely reef safe with corals and invertebrates
Large reef tanks (125+ gallons)
Hobbyists seeking a refined, high-contrast tang
Aquariums needing a consistent algae grazer
Experienced keepers who understand tang dynamics
