Coral Reef
Tang / Surgeonfish
More details
Lavender Tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus)
Pro
Pro
Description
A hardy and peaceful tang with dusky lavender-gray coloring and streamlined shape. Popular in reef aquariums for its algae-eating habits and compatibility with other community species.
Difficulty Level
Intermediate Care
Region
Lavender Tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Generally easy to care for if given space to swim and graze. Needs oxygen-rich water and a stable environment.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-caught, but not threatened. Populations remain stable across much of its Indo-Pacific range.
Origin
Native to shallow coral reefs and lagoons across the Indo-Pacific, including East Africa, the Philippines, and Polynesia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
A soft lavender to gray body with subtle blue edging and dark tail spine. Its elegant, gliding motion and muted tones offer a calm visual counterpoint to more colorful reef fish.
Purpose
A herbivorous grazer that controls algae on rocks and glass. Helps balance reef ecosystems while remaining visually understated.
Importance
Its peaceful temperament and functional role make it an ideal tang for medium-sized community reef tanks. Tolerates other species well and rarely causes aggression.
Included Resources
Requires a mature reef setup with live rock for grazing. High oxygenation and consistent flow preferred. Will appreciate macroalgae, seaweed clips, and hiding spots.
Best Use Cases
Reef aquariums, FOWLR (Fish-Only With Live Rock) systems, and peaceful Indo-Pacific biotope tanks. Compatible with most soft corals and LPS species.
Conservation Context
Stable populations, but reef degradation in parts of its range could pose future risks. Sustainable wild collection and captive conditioning are encouraged.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Other peaceful tangs (Zebrasoma, Ctenochaetus)
• Clownfish, wrasses, gobies
• Blennies and peaceful angels
• Reef-safe inverts (snails, hermits, shrimp)
Region (A)
• Latitude: 7.8731° S
• Longitude: 112.5239° E
(Bali Sea – Indonesia reef systems)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 18.9102° N
• Longitude: 102.6520° E
(Southern Vietnam – Indo-Pacific reef edge)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Lavender Tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Generally easy to care for if given space to swim and graze. Needs oxygen-rich water and a stable environment.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-caught, but not threatened. Populations remain stable across much of its Indo-Pacific range.
Origin
Native to shallow coral reefs and lagoons across the Indo-Pacific, including East Africa, the Philippines, and Polynesia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
A soft lavender to gray body with subtle blue edging and dark tail spine. Its elegant, gliding motion and muted tones offer a calm visual counterpoint to more colorful reef fish.
Purpose
A herbivorous grazer that controls algae on rocks and glass. Helps balance reef ecosystems while remaining visually understated.
Importance
Its peaceful temperament and functional role make it an ideal tang for medium-sized community reef tanks. Tolerates other species well and rarely causes aggression.
Included Resources
Requires a mature reef setup with live rock for grazing. High oxygenation and consistent flow preferred. Will appreciate macroalgae, seaweed clips, and hiding spots.
Best Use Cases
Reef aquariums, FOWLR (Fish-Only With Live Rock) systems, and peaceful Indo-Pacific biotope tanks. Compatible with most soft corals and LPS species.
Conservation Context
Stable populations, but reef degradation in parts of its range could pose future risks. Sustainable wild collection and captive conditioning are encouraged.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Other peaceful tangs (Zebrasoma, Ctenochaetus)
• Clownfish, wrasses, gobies
• Blennies and peaceful angels
• Reef-safe inverts (snails, hermits, shrimp)
Region (A)
• Latitude: 7.8731° S
• Longitude: 112.5239° E
(Bali Sea – Indonesia reef systems)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 18.9102° N
• Longitude: 102.6520° E
(Southern Vietnam – Indo-Pacific reef edge)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Lavender Tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Generally easy to care for if given space to swim and graze. Needs oxygen-rich water and a stable environment.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Often wild-caught, but not threatened. Populations remain stable across much of its Indo-Pacific range.
Origin
Native to shallow coral reefs and lagoons across the Indo-Pacific, including East Africa, the Philippines, and Polynesia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
A soft lavender to gray body with subtle blue edging and dark tail spine. Its elegant, gliding motion and muted tones offer a calm visual counterpoint to more colorful reef fish.
Purpose
A herbivorous grazer that controls algae on rocks and glass. Helps balance reef ecosystems while remaining visually understated.
Importance
Its peaceful temperament and functional role make it an ideal tang for medium-sized community reef tanks. Tolerates other species well and rarely causes aggression.
Included Resources
Requires a mature reef setup with live rock for grazing. High oxygenation and consistent flow preferred. Will appreciate macroalgae, seaweed clips, and hiding spots.
Best Use Cases
Reef aquariums, FOWLR (Fish-Only With Live Rock) systems, and peaceful Indo-Pacific biotope tanks. Compatible with most soft corals and LPS species.
Conservation Context
Stable populations, but reef degradation in parts of its range could pose future risks. Sustainable wild collection and captive conditioning are encouraged.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Other peaceful tangs (Zebrasoma, Ctenochaetus)
• Clownfish, wrasses, gobies
• Blennies and peaceful angels
• Reef-safe inverts (snails, hermits, shrimp)
Region (A)
• Latitude: 7.8731° S
• Longitude: 112.5239° E
(Bali Sea – Indonesia reef systems)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 18.9102° N
• Longitude: 102.6520° E
(Southern Vietnam – Indo-Pacific reef edge)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Lavender Tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus)
Region
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