{"product_id":"pale-lipped-tang","title":"Pale Lipped Tang | Acanthurus leucocheilus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Pale Lipped Tang is a large, striking surgeonfish with a dark body, pale lips and a bold white band at the base of the tail. It is an active, powerful swimmer that needs a very large aquarium, and is best suited to experienced keepers. Adults reach around 45 cm, making it one of the bigger Acanthurus tangs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcanthurus leucocheilus ranges through the tropical Indo-Pacific, often around outer reef slopes and drop-offs with clear, moving water. It grazes algae and cruises long distances over the reef. In captivity it needs open swimming length, strong flow, high oxygenation and plenty of live rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is dark brown to blackish, marked with pale lips, a white band around the caudal peduncle and a fine blue edging to the fins and scalpel. It is a large, deep-bodied surgeonfish with the sharp caudal spine typical of the group. Good specimens are full-bodied and dark; pale, pinched or scarred fish should be avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially toward other tangs and similarly shaped fish, though generally tolerant of unrelated species. Keep only one per tank unless the aquarium is very large, and add tangs together where possible. It mixes with angelfish, wrasse, rabbitfish, clownfish and other robust reef fish able to hold their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a herbivore. Provide plenty of marine algae — dried seaweed (nori) on a clip daily, plus spirulina and herbivore preparations — with some meaty foods such as mysis for variety. Good vegetable nutrition supports colour, weight and immune strength and reduces aggression and coral nipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 700 L, with 950 L or larger strongly recommended for this big, active tang. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. Give it strong flow, excellent oxygenation, open swimming room and robust filtration with protein skimming and regular water changes. Stable water and steady feeding help prevent the lateral line erosion tangs are prone to.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not practical in home aquariums. Like all tangs it is a pelagic spawner with tiny larvae requiring specialised commercial rearing. Focus on a spacious, stable system and excellent nutrition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus leucocheilus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePale Lipped Tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific outer reef slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45 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\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\u003e700 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e950 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\u003eVery large reef aquariums and FOWLR systems with generous 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 angelfish, wrasse, rabbitfish, clownfish, larger gobies and other robust reef fish. Choose tank mates that are not similarly shaped tangs to reduce conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs and surgeonfish in anything but very large tanks, similarly shaped and coloured fish, and timid species that may be bullied or outcompeted for food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234150891811,"sku":"BA9252-S","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234150924579,"sku":"BA9252","price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234150957347,"sku":"BA9252-L","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-45cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55351952507171,"sku":"BA9252-XL","price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/pale-lipped-tang-43090655772963-lv.webp?v=1790307472","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pale-lipped-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}