{"product_id":"gold-rim-tang","title":"Gold Rim Tang | Acanthurus nigricans","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gold Rim Tang, also known as the Whitecheek Tang or Gold-rimmed Surgeonfish, is a strikingly elegant surgeonfish with a deep black body, a crisp white cheek patch and bright golden margins tracing the dorsal and anal fins and tail base. Reaching around 20 cm, it is an active, algae-grazing tang that brings constant motion and colour to a large reef. It is a rewarding fish, but an honest word of caution: this species is more disease-prone than many tangs and needs pristine, stable, highly oxygenated water, so it is best suited to experienced keepers with a well-established aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcanthurus nigricans is found across the Pacific and into the Indian Ocean on clear-water outer reef slopes and reef flats, usually where there is strong water movement and abundant algae growth on hard surfaces. It grazes films of algae from rock throughout the day, an activity that keeps it constantly on the move. In the aquarium it needs open swimming room, plenty of live rock with grazing surfaces and the kind of clean, oxygen-rich water found on the reefs it comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the more beautifully marked surgeonfish, with a jet-black to purplish-black body, a distinct white blaze on the cheek between the mouth and eye, and fine golden-yellow lines edging the fins. A yellow band also runs across the base of the tail, and the sharp scalpel at the base of the tail is edged in yellow. Healthy specimens are alert, swim actively with good colour and are well-filled through the body; avoid thin fish with pinched foreheads or laboured breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is semi-aggressive. The Gold Rim Tang is generally peaceful towards unrelated fish but can be quite aggressive towards other tangs and surgeonfish, especially those of similar shape or colour. It is best kept as the only tang in all but very large systems, or introduced alongside other tangs simultaneously into a big aquarium. It is reef safe, grazing algae without harming corals or invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be predominantly plant-based. In the wild it grazes algae almost constantly, so offer plenty of dried marine seaweed (nori) on a clip, along with quality herbivore preparations and spirulina-based foods. It will also take some meaty foods such as mysis alongside other fish, but vegetable matter should form the bulk of the diet to maintain health, colour and good digestion. Feed several small portions across the day rather than one large meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 300 L, with 470 L or larger recommended for swimming room and water stability. Maintain temperature at 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4 and salinity around 1.020-1.026. Strong water movement, excellent oxygenation and pristine water quality are especially important for this disease-prone species, so invest in efficient skimming, strong filtration and regular water changes. Provide plenty of live rock for grazing and shelter. A quarantine period before introduction is strongly advised, as this tang is prone to marine ich and other ailments when stressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not achieved in home aquariums. Surgeonfish are broadcast spawners that release eggs and sperm into open water, and the resulting larvae drift in the plankton for an extended period before settling, a process that cannot be replicated in aquaria. Keepers should focus on excellent water quality, a strong herbivorous diet and low stress for long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus nigricans\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGold Rim Tang (Whitecheek Tang \/ Gold-rimmed Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePacific and Indian Ocean outer reef slopes and flats\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 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\u003eSemi-aggressive (especially to other tangs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e470 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 some meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-27°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\u003eLarge, established reef and FOWLR 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, angelfish, rabbitfish, larger gobies, cardinalfish and other peaceful to semi-aggressive reef fish, provided the aquarium is large and only one tang of this type is kept.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs and surgeonfish of similar shape or colour in smaller tanks, as well as very aggressive fish that may harass it or outcompete it and stress it into illness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234122219811,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234122252579,"sku":"AA2011","price":145.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234122285347,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-21cm)","offer_id":55351918985507,"sku":null,"price":190.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Goldrim_Tang-Photoroom_Acanthurus_nigricans_35cfdd13-91b0-4746-b5e7-c0a01f292b53.jpg?v=1781681468","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/gold-rim-tang","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}