{"product_id":"powder-brown-tang","title":"Powder Brown Tang","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Powder Brown Tang, \u003cem\u003eAcanthurus japonicus\u003c\/em\u003e, is a beautifully patterned saltwater fish recognized for its warm brown body, broad white facial marking, brilliant orange dorsal accent, yellow caudal peduncle, and electric blue edging along the fins. The combination of subtle body coloration and vivid contrasting highlights gives this surgeonfish an elegant appearance that stands out particularly well under reef aquarium lighting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the western Pacific, including waters from Indonesia and the Philippines north toward the Ryukyu Islands, the Powder Brown Tang inhabits clear lagoons and exposed seaward reefs. In nature, it spends much of the day swimming actively and grazing algae from hard reef surfaces. Reaching approximately 9 inches as an adult, this energetic marine aquarium fish is well suited to established reef aquariums and fish-only aquariums with substantial swimming room, mature rockwork, and excellent water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 130 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Western Pacific, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Ryukyu Islands\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAcanthurus japonicus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Powder Brown Tang requires a spacious, mature saltwater aquarium with extensive open swimming room. A 130-gallon or larger aquarium is recommended for long-term housing, with a long aquarium footprint particularly beneficial for this active surgeonfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrange live rock to provide caves, overhangs, and secure resting areas while preserving unobstructed swimming lanes. Mature rockwork also supplies valuable grazing surfaces where the fish can browse naturally throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate to strong water movement, excellent oxygenation, and efficient filtration are important. Powder Brown Tangs perform best in stable, well-established systems and can be less forgiving of fluctuating water quality than some hardier marine fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA secure aquarium cover is advisable, especially during introduction and acclimation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Powder Brown Tang is primarily herbivorous and naturally feeds on algae growing across reef surfaces. Its captive diet should place strong emphasis on marine algae and vegetable-based foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer dried marine algae or nori daily, along with spirulina-based flakes or pellets, quality herbivore pellets, and frozen preparations formulated for marine grazers. Established live rock provides additional opportunities for natural grazing between prepared feedings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other meaty marine foods may be consumed when feeding alongside tankmates, but these should supplement rather than replace an algae-rich diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral smaller feeding opportunities throughout the day are ideal for supporting its naturally frequent grazing behavior and maintaining proper body condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Powder Brown Tang should be considered semi-aggressive. It is generally compatible with a wide variety of unrelated marine fish but can become strongly territorial toward other tangs and surgeonfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggression is particularly likely toward similarly shaped \u003cem\u003eAcanthurus\u003c\/em\u003e species or other fish competing for the same grazing territory. Keeping multiple tangs requires additional aquarium space, abundant food, and carefully planned introductions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tankmates include clownfish, anthias, wrasses, rabbitfish, angelfish, gobies, and many other appropriately sized marine community species. Very timid fish should have ample shelter and feeding opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Powder Brown Tang is considered \u003cstrong\u003ereef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e and is an excellent candidate for appropriately sized reef aquariums. Its feeding behavior is directed primarily toward algae growing on rockwork and other hard surfaces rather than healthy coral tissue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt does not normally prey on ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, clams, or other common reef invertebrates. Its persistent grazing behavior can also help utilize naturally occurring algae within an established reef system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegular supplemental algae feeding remains essential even when visible algae are present in the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–80°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable conditions are more important than repeatedly adjusting the aquarium to reach an exact value. Maintain consistent salinity and temperature along with excellent oxygenation, strong filtration, and regular aquarium maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eActive swimmer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide substantial open swimming space and a long aquarium footprint rather than relying on volume alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlgae-focused diet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Marine algae should be offered regularly to support proper nutrition and continuous grazing behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTang aggression:\u003c\/strong\u003e Territorial behavior can be pronounced toward other surgeonfish, especially similarly shaped \u003cem\u003eAcanthurus\u003c\/em\u003e species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation sensitivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Introduce this species to a mature, stable aquarium and closely monitor feeding and condition during the acclimation period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSharp caudal spine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Like other surgeonfish, it possesses a defensive spine near the base of the tail and should be handled carefully during capture or transfer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"S","offer_id":52384362529066,"sku":"TANGxPBrownS","price":83.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SM","offer_id":52384362561834,"sku":"TANGxPBrownSM","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"M","offer_id":52384362594602,"sku":"TANGxPBrownM","price":110.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"ML","offer_id":52384362627370,"sku":"TANGxPBrownML","price":143.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L","offer_id":52384362660138,"sku":"TANGxPBrownL","price":194.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL","offer_id":52384362692906,"sku":"TANGxPBrownX","price":233.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XX","offer_id":52384362725674,"sku":"TANGxPBrownXX","price":314.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/topshelf-gemini-portrait-powder-brown-tang_13ee0e71-eb1c-4aed-a744-9f7e163f3ca8.jpg?v=1787763137","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/powder-brown-tang","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}