Whitecheek tang
Acanthurus nigricans
Also known as Gold Rim Tang, Whitecheek Surgeonfish, Goldrim Surgeonfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 13.8 in
- 35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 129 gal
- 490 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Acanthuridae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific reefs, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands to Hawaii and French Polynesia
Overview
Whitecheek tangs are mostly peaceful toward other fish but won't tolerate other tangs, especially their own kind, so keep only one per tank. They're reef safe and generally leave corals alone as long as they're fed enough marine algae; underfed fish will sometimes pick at large-polyp stony corals. This species has a reputation as an ich magnet and doesn't forgive lapses in water quality, so stable parameters and a well cycled tank matter more here than with easier tangs.
In the wild
Whitecheek tangs range across a huge stretch of the Indo-Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands and Christmas Island through the Great Barrier Reef to Hawaii and French Polynesia. They're usually found alone along clear outer reef slopes, grazing algae off rock in areas with strong water movement. A tank of at least 490 litres (130 US gal) with open swimming room and plenty of rockwork suits it well.
Good to know
Acanthurus nigricans gets both of its common names from its markings: a small white patch on the cheek and a gold band edging the dorsal and anal fins against a dark purplish black body. Like other Acanthurus species it carries a sharp, scalpel-like spine on each side of the tail base that folds out when threatened, the trait that gives surgeonfish their name.
Did you know
Whitecheek tangs occasionally hybridize with powder blue tangs where their ranges overlap in the Indo-Pacific, and mixed-pattern hybrids sometimes turn up in the aquarium trade.
Common questions
What size tank does a Whitecheek tang need?
A Whitecheek tang needs at least 129 gal (490 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Whitecheek tang need?
A Whitecheek tang is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Whitecheek tang get?
An adult Whitecheek tang reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).
Related species
13.8 in (35 cm)151 gal (570 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Atlantic blue tang
Acanthurus coeruleus
13.8 in (35 cm) · 151 gal (570 L)
13.8 in (35 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Orangeshoulder tang
Acanthurus olivaceus
13.8 in (35 cm) · 180 gal (680 L)
11.4 in (29 cm)129 gal (490 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Mimic tang
Acanthurus pyroferus
11.4 in (29 cm) · 129 gal (490 L)
8.3 in (21 cm)129 gal (490 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Powder brown tang
Acanthurus japonicus
8.3 in (21 cm) · 129 gal (490 L)
15 in (38 cm)238 gal (900 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Clown tang
Acanthurus lineatus
15 in (38 cm) · 238 gal (900 L)
15.7 in (40 cm)180 gal (680 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Sohal tang
Acanthurus sohal
15.7 in (40 cm) · 180 gal (680 L)