Tangs and surgeonfish

Tangs, also called surgeonfish, are open-water grazers that need long tanks and steady algae in their diet. They carry a scalpel-sharp spine at the base of the tail, and most are territorial with their own kind. Each profile lists the tank size and diet a tang needs, since crowding one leads to disease and fighting.

26 species

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  Achilles Tang

  Acanthurus achilles

  9.4 in (24 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Atlantic Blue Tang

  Acanthurus coeruleus

  13.8 in (35 cm)151 gal (570 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Black Tang

  Zebrasoma rostratum

  8.3 in (21 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Blonde Naso Tang

  Naso elegans

  17.7 in (45 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Blue Hippo Tang

  Paracanthurus hepatus

  11.8 in (30 cm)180 gal (680 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Bluespine Unicornfish

  Naso unicornis

  23.6 in (60 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Chevron Tang

  Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis

  11 in (28 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Clown Tang

  Acanthurus lineatus

  15 in (38 cm)238 gal (900 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Convict Tang

  Acanthurus triostegus

  10.6 in (27 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Gem Tang

  Zebrasoma gemmatum

  8.7 in (22 cm)151 gal (570 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Kole Tang

  Ctenochaetus strigosus

  7.1 in (18 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Mimic Tang

  Acanthurus pyroferus

  11.4 in (29 cm)129 gal (490 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Naso Tang

  Naso lituratus

  17.7 in (45 cm)180 gal (680 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Orangeshoulder Tang

  Acanthurus olivaceus

  13.8 in (35 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Powder Blue Tang

  Acanthurus leucosternon

  9.1 in (23 cm)124 gal (470 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Powder Brown Tang

  Acanthurus japonicus

  8.3 in (21 cm)129 gal (490 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Purple Tang

  Zebrasoma xanthurum

  9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Red Sea Sailfin Tang

  Zebrasoma desjardinii

  15.7 in (40 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Sailfin Tang

  Zebrasoma veliferum

  11.8 in (30 cm)145 gal (550 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Scopas Tang

  Zebrasoma scopas

  7.9 in (20 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Sohal Tang

  Acanthurus sohal

  15.7 in (40 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Spotted Unicornfish

  Naso brevirostris

  21.7 in (55 cm)343 gal (1,300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Tomini Tang

  Ctenochaetus tominiensis

  6.3 in (16 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Vlamingi Tang

  Naso vlamingii

  23.6 in (60 cm)359 gal (1,360 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Whitecheek Tang

  Acanthurus nigricans

  13.8 in (35 cm)129 gal (490 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Yellow Tang

  Zebrasoma flavescens

  7.9 in (20 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)