{"product_id":"orange-shoulder-tang","title":"Orange Shoulder Tang | Acanthurus olivaceus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Orange Shoulder Tang is a large, elegant surgeonfish that transforms from a bright lemon-yellow juvenile into a grey adult with a bold orange shoulder bar. One of the most peaceful of the Acanthurus tangs, it is a rewarding grazer for a spacious reef. Adults reach around 35 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcanthurus olivaceus is found across the Pacific on coral and rubble reef flats and slopes, where it grazes algae and sifts detritus from sandy patches. In the aquarium it needs open swimming room, plenty of live rock for grazing and shelter, and a stable, well-established system with good water quality. As a large, active fish it appreciates length of tank for cruising.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuveniles are uniformly bright yellow. As they mature they turn grey to olive-brown, developing the signature orange bar edged in blue behind the head, along with the scalpel-like tail spine common to all surgeonfish. It is a large, deep-bodied tang. Healthy specimens are full-bodied, clear-eyed and graze actively; a sunken belly or faded colour can indicate poor condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is semi-aggressive but relatively mild; it is among the least aggressive Acanthurus tangs and rarely troubles unrelated fish. It can still squabble with other tangs, so keep one of this type per tank unless the aquarium is very large, and add tangs together where possible. It mixes well with clownfish, wrasse, angelfish, rabbitfish and other robust reef fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is primarily a herbivore and needs a diet rich in marine algae. Offer dried seaweed (nori) on a clip daily, along with spirulina and herbivore preparations, and some meaty foods such as mysis for variety. A steady supply of quality vegetable matter keeps its colour, weight and immune strength up; if it goes hungry it may start nipping at corals, so keep it well fed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 450 L, with 700 L or larger recommended for long-term housing of this large, active swimmer. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. Moderate to strong flow, high oxygenation and open swimming space are important, along with live rock for grazing. Use strong biological filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes to keep water quality high. Consistent nutrition and stable water help prevent the lateral line disease tangs are prone to.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in home aquariums is not practical. Like all tangs it is a pelagic spawner with tiny larvae that require specialised commercial rearing systems. For aquarium keeping, focus on a spacious stable system, excellent nutrition and suitable tank mates rather than breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus olivaceus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrange Shoulder Tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePacific coral and rubble reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (one of the milder tangs)\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\u003e450 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, dried seaweed (nori), spirulina preparations 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\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger reef aquariums and FOWLR systems with swimming room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution; generally safe with corals if kept well fed, but may nip if underfed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, wrasse, angelfish, rabbitfish, cardinalfish, larger gobies and other robust reef fish. Choose tank mates that are not similarly shaped tangs to reduce squabbling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs and surgeonfish in smaller tanks, similarly shaped and coloured fish, and very aggressive species that may bully it or outcompete it for food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55304234631459,"sku":"BA8325","price":132.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234121367843,"sku":"AA2185","price":152.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234121400611,"sku":"AA2185-L-AU","price":311.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55353177473315,"sku":"AA2185-XL-AU","price":358.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562750329123,"sku":"AA2185-S-IMP","price":80.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562750361891,"sku":"AA2185-M-IMP","price":90.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562750394659,"sku":"AA2185-L-IMP","price":311.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562750427427,"sku":"AA2185-XL-IMP","price":358.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/orange-shoulder-tang-43090655707427.webp?v=1790305588","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/orange-shoulder-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}