Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus) Elevate your reef with a masterclass in contrast and motion. The Powder Brown Tang features a smooth, velvety chocolate-brown body highlighted by a brilliant white patch under the eyes, neon blue-rimmed fins, and a stark splash of electric orange on its rear dorsal fin. This highly active fish acts as a continuous burst of elegant color as it darts through the open spaces of your aquarium. Beyond its runway-ready looks, this surgeonfish is a dedicated worker that will spend all day picking your rockwork clean of unwanted nuisance algae. Quick Care Specifications Care Level: Moderate to Advanced Temperament: Semi-Aggressive (Highly territorial toward other tangs) Maximum Size: 7 to 8 inches in captivity Minimum Tank Size: 125+ Gallons with plenty of open swimming room Reef Compatibility: 100% Reef-Safe (Completely safe for corals and invertebrates) Water Parameters: 72–78°F, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12, Salinity 1.020–1.025 SG Key Features & Tank Requirements 🎨 High-Contrast "White Face" Markings Distinguished by its iconic white cheek patch that runs from the eye down to the mouth. This true Acanthurus japonicus is much more vibrant and universally desired than the similarly named Gold Rim Tang (Acanthurus nigricans). 🌊 High-Oxygen, High-Flow Setup Naturally thrives in shallow, high-energy reef flats where waves crash over the corals. To mimic this in captivity, your system requires powerful wavemakers, a heavy-duty protein skimmer, and pristine water turnover to maximize dissolved oxygen levels. 🌿 Relentless Algae Grazer An exceptional tool for natural aquarium maintenance. They will constantly graze on filamentous hair algae and organic film. To sustain their lightning-fast metabolism, feed daily sheets of dried seaweed (Nori) alongside high-quality herbivore pellets. 🛡️ Disease Prevention Warning Like most Acanthurus species, the Powder Brown has a thinner protective slime coat, making it highly susceptible to marine ich and velvet. Running a high-output UV sterilizer and executing a strict quarantine protocol are strongly advised. 👥 Territorial Dominance Extremely peaceful toward non-tang tank mates, but it will fiercely defend its swimming lanes against other tangs. It is best introduced as one of the very last fish into a large community or reef system to minimize territorial disputes.
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