The Lemonpeel Mimic Tang (Acanthurus pyroferus) earns its name through Batesian mimicry. As a juvenile, it imitates the coloration of local pygmy angelfish, including the lemonpeel angelfish, the half-black angelfish, and Eibl's angelfish, which means juvenile color forms differ from region to region depending on which dwarf angel is common there. With maturity the disguise fades and the fish takes on the tan to nearly black coloration typical of surgeonfish, accented by a dark band behind the gill cover, a thin white chin strap, and yellow or occasionally green highlights around the eyes and fins. Adults reach roughly 7 inches. The species is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific, with particularly abundant populations around the reef systems of Indonesia and the Philippines, where it occupies coastal reefs, shallow lagoons, and reef slopes down to depths near 196 feet.

Plan on a mature system of at least 125 gallons for an adult, and arrange the aquascape with that adult in mind. Live rock structures with crevices and caves supply retreats and territorial reference points while also cultivating the film and filamentous algae this fish grazes on throughout the day. Keeping the rockwork along the perimeter of the tank preserves the long, unobstructed swimming lanes an active surgeonfish requires. Moderate to boisterous circulation from powerheads or a wavemaker better reflects the currents of its native reef slopes and keeps the fish moving and feeding well. Care level is moderate, so stable water chemistry and a well-established tank with steady algae production make the difference between a fish that merely survives and one that thrives.