Brown fish with a white face patch, yellow stripe along the back, and white tail.

Powder brown tang

Acanthurus japonicus
Where at Shedd?
Wild Reef
Diet Primarily grazes on algae
Size Length: Up to 8 inches (21 cm)
Type Fishes
Range Indo-West Pacific
Habitat Shallow, clear lagoon and sea-facing reefs of the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans

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 slashes at enemy fish, which include predators or a rival tang.
  3. Tangs are also called doctorfish or surgeonfish.

IUCN Red List Conservation Status