Whitecheek Tang (Acanthurus Nigricans)
Size: only S,M
Species Name : Acanthurus Nigricans
Care Level : Moderate
Temperament : Semi-aggressive
Color : Black, Purple, Yellow
Diet : Herbivore
Reef Compatible : Yes
Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size : 8"
Origin : Indo-Pacific to the East Pacific
Family : Acanthuridae
Minimum Tank Size : 100 gallons
The Whitecheek Tang (Acanthurus Nigricans), also known as the Goldenrim Surgeonfish or Yellow-spotted Surgeonfish, is a reef-associated tang fish found from the central Indo-Pacific to the East Pacific.
The fish has a black to purplish blue body with a small white cheek mark between the mouth and eyes. Moreover, the fish’s fins have dark blue color while the tail is also blue with a yellow bar on it. The unique thing about this fish is a yellow stripe that runs along with the anal and dorsal fins, forming a distinct wishbone shape on the fish’s body. The fish can grow up to 8 inches in size.
Even though the minimum tank size for this species is 100 gallons, they do best in larger aquariums that have very stable water conditions. It is best to keep this species in an aquarium with plenty of swimming room and lots of live rock to provide plenty of grazing opportunities; as well as, to provide them large caves or crevices to retreat to when they feel threatened.
Usually, the Acanthurus Nigricans is a peaceful species, but it gets territorial regarding similarly shaped fish. When in the aquarium, they will spend most of their time swimming around and nibbling the algae from the stones. Surgeonfish will rarely irritate corals or invertebrates.
However, although the fish is herbivorous, it also needs to feed on some meaty stuff when kept in the home aquarium. It’s needless to say that the amount of meaty food should be in traces and not make up a large portion of the fish’s don’t as it is herbivorous. Make sure you are offering the fish a healthy herbivore diet. This way, the species’ immune system stays strong and helps stave off diseases and prevent some of its aggressive behavior.
Size:
Small: 2" to 2 1/2»
Medium: 3" to 4»
Large: 5" to 6