Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

General Description: The Chocolate Tang, also known as the Mimic Lemon Peel Tang or Yellow Mimic Tang, is native throughout the Indo-Pacific region. As a juvenile, the Chocolate tang takes on its pseudonym “mimic” because it resembles either the dwarf Lemonpeel Angelfish (Centropyge flavissimus) or Yellow Angelfish (Centropyge heraldi) with an overall yellow body and a blue ring around its eye if it’s mimicking the lemonpeel angelfish. As it changes into an adult, the color of its body darkens with chestnut brown hues around its eyes and all of its fins take on an olivaceous color with accents of yellow. With maturation, the tail will also become more lyre in shape. An adult Chocolate tang can reach a size of approximately 8″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild tangs are primarily herbivorous. A diet largely consisting of algae-based foods is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal health, coloration, immune function, and reduce aggression. If not, tangs often develop head and lateral line erosion from such deficiencies. Vegetable based flake foods or frozen foods, that may also include spirulina algae, are excellent options. We also recommend offering dried seaweed on a rock or clip three times a week minimum. Chocolate tangs will consume various other protein-based frozen foods.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 125 gallon aquarium with 18+ inch width is ideal. Smaller specimens can be temporarily raised in smaller quarters (no less than 75 gallons) as long as it is upgraded accordingly. This tang enjoys a variety of rock work to graze on and crevices to take refuge, but should also be provided with open swimming space. Chocolate tangs are often sought after to add to a reef aquarium for their natural tendency to graze upon algae build up. Typically, Chocolate tangs do not conflict with other tank-mates and aren’t overly territorial in nature. Conflict could arise from conspecifics (including other species within the genus Acanthurus). If you want to house various types of tangs together, especially other Acanthurus species, it may be best to add them all at once, or closely together at the very least, for the best success. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Juvenile Small: 1″ to 3″; Changing Medium: 2″ to 3″; Large: 3-1/4″ to 5″; Adult Small: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/4″; Medium: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/4″; Large: 4-1/2″ to 5-1/2″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.