🐠 Whitecheek Tang (Acanthurus nigricans)
A Black-to-Purple Body With a White Cheek Mark • Yellow Wishbone Striping • A Striking Species for a Mature, Established Tank
 
📋 The Whitecheek Tang, also known as the Gold-Rimmed Surgeonfish or Whitecheek Surgeonfish, has a striking black-to-purplish-blue body with a small white mark on the cheek between the mouth and eyes, dark blue fins highlighted in blue at the tips, a blue tail with a yellow vertical bar, and yellow striping forming a distinctive "wishbone" pattern along the body. A note on naming: this species closely resembles the Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus), and both have been sold under the "Gold-Rimmed Tang" name, so we always confirm by scientific name to avoid confusion.
It comes from across the Indo-Pacific, found browsing filamentous algae on live rock in mature reef settings, with juveniles gregarious among large coral heads and territorial adults typically more solitary. In parts of its range, it's known to hybridise with the Achilles Tang. Every Whitecheek Tang we ship is feeding well.
It does best in a large, mature, well-established aquarium, ideally a year or older, with a varied diet offered in small amounts multiple times daily. It's hostile toward its own kind and other Acanthurus species, so only one should be kept per tank. It's fully reef safe. It reaches up to 21cm, so plan on at least 470L.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Black-Purple Body, White Cheek Mark: A striking, distinctive pattern
〽️ Yellow Wishbone Striping: A unique identifying feature
🌿 Fully Reef Safe: Won't harm corals or invertebrates
🍽️ Ships Feeding Well: Thrives on a varied, frequent diet
🏠 Best in a Mature Tank: Settles in well in an established aquarium