Ring Tail Tang
(Acanthurus nigricauda)
Acanthurus Tangs should be added to aquariums with plenty of swim room and
rockwork for grazing and hiding. Tank size should be considered before purchasing as the adult acanthurus Tangs can become quite large. Also known as surgeon fish because of the sharp spine at the base of their tail. This "scalpel" is used for protection, handle carefully as it is very sharp. Considered reef safe but may pick at small, mobile and sessile invertebrates if not well fed. Provide a varied diet of marine meaty and algae based foods. Acanthurus Tangs have been known to be aggressive towards similarly shaped Tangs.
The Ring Tail Tang are also known as the Ring Tail Surgeonfish. Not often seen in the aquarium trade. The Ring Tail Tangs are mainly a blue to gray body color with yellow to brown irregular spots highlighted by a white stripe on its caudal peduncle and a yellow spot behind its eyes. They can grow to almost 18".
We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 300 gallons or larger for this species.
Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH
- Care: Moderate
- Behavior: Social
- Diet: Flake Food Frozen Food Herbivore Live Food
- Habitat: Reef
- Light: High