Vlamingii Tang
(Naso vlamingii)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 2′
Color Form: Black, Blue, Purple, Tan
Diet: Herbivore
Origin: Solomon Islands
Family: Acanthuridae
Reproduction: Group Spawner
Swim Level: All

The Vlamingii Tang, also known as the Vlaming’s Unicornfish, or Bignose Unicornfish, has a brown to purple body color when an adult. In the juvenile, The color graduates from lighter, dorsaly, to darker, ventrally. It has vertical markings on the body and blue highlights. The dorsal fin, anal fin, tail, and face are all sparingly detailed in a brilliant bright blue.

A 180 gallon or larger aquarium is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room and places to hide. The aquarium should have a tight-fitting lid to prevent the fish from jumping out to escape. It is aggressive toward other Tangs, but peaceful with other fish, and will not harm sessile invertebrates within the reef aquarium.

Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutrition are all ideal products and are very easy to use.

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Sohal Tang
(Acanthurus sohal)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 1′ 4″
Color Form: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Red Sea
Family: Acanthuridae
Reproduction: Group Spawner
Swim Level: All

This fish is also known as the Sohal Surgeonfish and Red Sea Clown Surgeon, and less commonly the Zebra Surgeon, Majestic Tang, Majestic Surgeon, Zebra Tang, and Arabian Tang. It is found in the Red Sea, to the Arabian Gulf, and the Arabian Sea, sometimes in large aggregations, but usually in solitude. These fish commonly inhabit the reef plateau just before the slope, and are generally found in depths of less than 20 meters (65′). Wild Sohal Tang specimens can grow to 16 inches; in an aquarium the adults will normally grow from 7 to 10 inches.

The Sohal Tang is hardy, but susceptible to a disease known as Lateral Line erosion, or Hole in the Head. A vegetarian diet high in vitamins, especially beta-carotene can aid in the prevention of development of the disease. Stray voltages are also thought to contribute to this disease and the grounding probe may be beneficial.

Sohal Tangs are very aggressive. They should not be kept with other Tangs or Wrasse species. They tend to be well-behaved with old tank mates, but try to kill any new additions. They are only suited for large aquariums with other aggressive fish. They do fairly well in very large reef systems with no other Tangs, and plenty of swimming room.

Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutrition are all ideal products and are very easy to use.

The Sohal Tangs are among the most prized fish for the aquarium hobby. The blue outline on the fins and the horizontal body striping render them quite striking. Because of its aggression factor and size, this fish should only be kept by an experienced aquarist with a large reef tank.

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Mimic Lemon Peel Tang
(Acanthurus pyroferus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Lighting: High
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 8″
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indo-Pacific, Palau
Family: Acanthuridae
Reproduction: Group Spawner
Swim Level: All

The Mimic Lemon Peel Tang, also known as the Mimic Surgeon, or Chocolate Surgeonfish, has an oval, yellow body while a juvenile. It has blue highlights around the eyes and gill covers, mimicking the Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissimus). (Many of the Acanthurus sp. mimic angelfish.) When mature, the body color darkens towards tan with red highlights forming around the eyes and pectoral fins. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins take on the hues of green but remain tipped with the tan body color.

A 70 gallon or larger aquarium with large amounts of live rock is necessary to provide both plenty of swimming room, and territories within the live rock. It is aggressive towards other Tangs and Surgeonfish, but is peaceful with other fish.

Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutrition are all ideal products and are very easy to use. These are great fish for controlling algae in the saltwater fish or reef aquarium.

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Mimic Eibli Tang
(Acanthurus tristis)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 1′
Color Form: Blue, White, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Kenya, Maldives
Family: Acanthuridae

The Mimic Eibli Tang is named after the scientific name of the Centropyge eibli angelfish because it mimics its appearance. They have an oval shaped body that is adorned with striking orange vertical lines. Their stomach area is yellow to orange in color, and gradually darkens toward its black tail. These are wonderful fish that aid in the control of algae in a marine fish or reef aquarium.

A 70 gallon or larger aquarium is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room. It is extremely aggressive towards other Tangs or Surgeonfish, especially those similar in form and color, and should be the only one in the tank except for in very large systems. Introduce all different species of tangs at one time if more than one is to be maintained in the same aquarium.

Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutrition are all ideal products and are very easy to use.

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Lieutenant Tang
(Acanthurus tennenti)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 10″
Color Form: Blue, Tan
Diet: Herbivore
Origin: Maldives
Family: Acanthuridae

The Lieutenant Tang is from the reefs of the Maldives Islands and is mostly tan in color with darker lines outlining the body of the fish. The scapulae is circled in a brilliant blue as well as the outline of the anal fin. The tail in time, will take on a forked appearance as the trailers grow.

A 100 gallon or larger aquarium with large amounts of live rock is necessary to provide both plenty of swimming room, and territories within the live rock. It is aggressive toward other Tangs and Surgeonfish, but is peaceful with other fish.

Although Tangs will eat meaty foods along with the other fish in the aquarium, it is important that they are offered plenty of marine based seaweed and algae. This will strengthen their immune system, reduce aggression and improve their overall health. Offer dried seaweed tied to a rock or use a veggie clip, and feed at least 3 times per week. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad and Ocean Nutrition are all ideal products and are very easy to use.

Shop for Lieutenant Tang at LiveAquaria.com