{"product_id":"chocolate-mimic-tang","title":"Chocolate Mimic Tang | Acanthurus pyroferus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Chocolate Mimic Tang is a clever, hardy surgeonfish famous for its disguise: as a juvenile it mimics dwarf angelfish such as the lemonpeel, then transforms into a rich chocolate-brown to dark-blue adult. Active and personable, it is one of the more manageable and interesting tangs for a larger reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Chocolate Mimic Tang is associated with clear coral-rich reefs and reef slopes of the Indo-Pacific, where it grazes algae from rock and reef surfaces throughout the day. The juvenile mimicry is thought to let it feed alongside less-harassed dwarf angels. Replicating this environment means providing mature live rock with algae for grazing, open swimming space and good, well-oxygenated flow. A settled aquarium with established algae suits it best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuveniles are bright yellow (mimicking Centropyge dwarf angels) or half-black forms, changing to a chocolate-brown, black or dark-blue adult with orange or yellow highlights near the gill and tail. It reaches around 25 cm. Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel near the tail base. Healthy specimens are alert, grazing actively and well-filled through the body, without pinched bellies, cloudy eyes or rapid breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as generally peaceful when young, becoming more territorial and assertive with age, especially towards other tangs and similar-shaped fish. In a large aquarium it mixes well with dissimilar species. Suitable companions include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other robust reef fish. Housing it with other tangs is best in larger systems with careful planning. Add it to a settled aquarium and avoid constant chasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be predominantly herbivorous. Offer dried marine algae and nori on a clip, algae-based flakes and pellets, and a rotation of prepared herbivore foods, ideally several small feeds through the day. Natural algae in the tank supplements the diet. Occasional meaty foods such as mysis shrimp can be offered, but the diet should remain mostly plant based to maintain colour, condition and a healthy immune system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 470 L, with 600 L or larger recommended for swimming room and long-term stability. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Good, well-oxygenated flow is important. Lighting can be standard reef lighting. Provide open swimming space and mature live rock for grazing. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended. Surgeonfish are prone to white spot, so stable water quality and a quarantine routine are advised. This species is considered reef safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved and should not be expected. Surgeonfish spawn in open water with drifting planktonic larvae requiring specialised conditions far beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For hobbyists, the focus should be on long-term health, correct herbivorous feeding, excellent water quality and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus pyroferus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChocolate Mimic Tang (Mimic Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coral-rich reefs and slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOften 10 years or more with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful when young, semi-aggressive when mature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e470 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, nori and algae-based prepared foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEstablished reef and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other robust reef fish that differ in shape and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs in all but larger systems, highly aggressive fish that will harass it, and avoid adding it to newly set-up tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234149155107,"sku":null,"price":77.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234149187875,"sku":"BA9349","price":87.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234149220643,"sku":null,"price":97.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351951917347,"sku":null,"price":107.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/chocolate-mimic-tang","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}