Dark brown fish with a thin yellow edge along the dorsal and anal fins, and white tail

Gold-rimmed tang

Acanthurus nigricans
Where at Shedd?
Wild Reef
Diet Small bits of algae
Size Length: Up to 11 inches (29 cm)
Type Fishes
Range Eastern Indian and West Central Pacific Oceans
Habitat Within corals of clear lagoon and sea-facing reefs

Did you know?

  1. Do you see that bump near the tang’s tail? It conceals a “blade” that cuts as cleanly as a scalpel.
  2. During an attack, a tang’s tail slashes at enemy fish, which could include a predator or a rival tang.
  3. Tangs are also called doctorfish or surgeonfish.

IUCN Red List Conservation Status