Tangs
Tangs generally feed on algae, though there are a few carnivorous species. Most tangs will not tolerate other fish the same color and/or shape as them. They have a spine on their tails that can cut open other fish and unprotected hands. All tangs should be given plenty of swimming room; try to have at least a 4' tank. Contrary to popular belief they will tolerate smaller (4' to 5') tanks just fine but tend to live better in larger tanks, over 5'.
| Common name | Image | Taxonomy | Reef safe | Care Level | Description | Max size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achilles tang | Acanthurus achilles | Yes | Difficult | Passive aggressive. This fish is native to the waters of Hawaii and the South Pacific and therefore requires substantial turbulent flow and circulation to be kept in an aquarium. This fish should only be kept in a six foot or large aquarium as it requires a large amount of swim room. Very prone to Cryptocaryon irritans | 700128000000000000028 cm (11.0 in) | |
| Atlantic blue tang | Acanthurus coeruleus | Yes | Moderate | Less aggressive than Achilles or Powder Blue | 16 in | |
| Blue eyed tang | Ctenochaetus binotatus | Yes | Easy | |||
| Blue lined surgeonfish | Acanthurus nigroris | Yes | Easy | |||
| Bristletooth tang | Ctenochaetus striatus | Yes | Easy to moderate | |||
| Chevron tang | Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis | Yes | Easy to moderate | Bright orange when young and dark olive green when transitioned fully to juvenile. | ||
| Clown tang | Acanthurus lineatus | Yes | Difficult | One of the most aggressive tangs | 15 inches | |
| Convict tang | Acanthurus triostegus | Yes | Easy | |||
| Desjardini tang | Zebrasoma desjardinii | Yes | Moderate | |||
| Doctorfish | Acanthurus chirurgus | Yes | Easy | |||
| Dussumieri tang | Acanthurus dussumieri | Yes | Difficult | 700153000000000000053 cm (20.9 in) | ||
| Eibli mimic tang | Acanthurus tristis | Yes | Moderate | |||
| Gold rim tang | Acanthurus nigricans | Yes | Difficult | |||
| Regal / Hippo tang | Paracanthurus hepatus | Yes | Moderate | Very prone to Cryptocaryon irritans. More tolerant of other tangs than most other species. | ||
| Kole tang | Ctenochaetus strigosus | Yes | Easy to moderate | |||
| Lavender tang | Acanthurus nigrofuscus | Yes | Moderate | |||
| Lopezi tang | Naso lopezi | Yes | Easy | |||
| Mimic tang, Chocolate tang | Acanthurus pyroferus | Yes | Easy to moderate | |||
| Naso tang, blonde naso tang | Naso lituratus | Yes | Easy to moderate | |||
| Orange shoulder tang | Acanthurus olivaceus | Yes | Moderate | |||
| Powder blue tang | Acanthurus leucosternon | Yes | Difficult | Very prone to Cryptocaryon irritans. | ||
| Powder brown tang | Acanthurus japonicus | Yes | Moderate | |||
| Purple tang | Zebrasoma xanthurus | Yes | Easy to moderate | |||
| Sailfin tang | Zebrasoma veliferum | Yes | Easy to moderate | |||
| Scopas tang | Zebrasoma scopas | Yes | Easy to moderate | Similar to the yellow tang in shape and feeding. | ||
| Sohal tang | Acanthurus sohal | Yes | Difficult | One of the larger more aggressive tangs | 700140000000000000040 cm (15.7 in) | |
| Tennent tang | Acanthurus tennenti | Yes | Easy | |||
| Thompson's surgeonfish | Acanthurus thompsoni | Yes | Moderate | 700128000000000000028 cm (11.0 in) | ||
| Tomini tang | Ctenocheatus tominiensis | Yes | Easy | |||
| Unicorn tang | Naso unicornis | Yes | Moderate | |||
| Vlamingi tang | Naso vlamingii | Yes | Easy | |||
| White freckled surgeon | Acanthurus maculiceps | Yes | Easy | |||
| Yellow tang | Zebrasoma flavescens | Yes | Easy to moderate | The yellow tangs require ample swimming room and plenty of algae to graze on. A single tang will not tolerate another of its kind unless there is ample space for each tang to have their own territory. They requires high oxygen levels. Can be kept in shoals when a tank of at least 5 ft is provided. | ||
| Yellowfin surgeon | Acanthurus xanthopterus | Yes | Moderate |
Read more about this topic: List Of Marine Aquarium Fish Species