{"product_id":"thompsons-tang","title":"Thompsons Tang | Acanthurus thompsoni","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Thompson's Tang is a sleek, fast-swimming surgeonfish with an understated charcoal-to-brown body and a bright white tail that flashes as it feeds. Unusually for a tang, it is largely a plankton feeder rather than a dedicated algae grazer, taking food from the open water column. Reaching around 27 cm, it needs a large, well-circulated aquarium with plenty of open swimming room.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThompson's Tang ranges across clear outer reef slopes and drop-offs of the Indo-Pacific, often hanging in mid-water above the reef where currents carry zooplankton. Recreating this means providing a large tank with strong, random flow, open swimming lanes and mature live rock for refuge. It is a fish of moving water and does best in a stable, established system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is dark grey to brownish, sometimes with a bluish sheen, set off by a striking white caudal fin and fine dark markings around the face. Colour brightens in a relaxed, well-fed fish. As with all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel near the tail base. Healthy specimens are alert, actively swimming and full-bodied, without pinched bellies or laboured breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is generally peaceful towards dissimilar fish but semi-aggressive towards other tangs, especially other Acanthurus species. In a large aquarium it makes a good community fish alongside clownfish, wrasses, angels and other robust reef species. House with other tangs only in very large systems and add it to a settled tank to reduce squabbling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding differs from most tangs: this species is primarily a planktivore. Offer frequent small feeds of mysis, enriched brine, finely chopped seafood and quality frozen and pellet foods, ideally suspended in the current. Dried marine algae and nori on a clip should also be provided, but meaty planktonic foods form the bulk of a good diet. Several small feeds a day keep it in strong condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of 450 L, with 700 L or larger strongly recommended given its size and swimming needs. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Strong, well-oxygenated flow is essential. Robust filtration, a good protein skimmer and regular water changes support this active fish. Surgeonfish are prone to white spot, so stable water quality and quarantine are advised. This species is reef safe, though it may pick at sessile invertebrates if underfed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not achieved in the home aquarium. Surgeonfish spawn in open water, releasing eggs and sperm into the current, with larvae drifting as plankton before settling. This is far beyond normal home conditions, so the focus should be on long-term health, correct 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 thompsoni\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThompson's Tang (Thompson's Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific outer reef slopes and drop-offs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 27 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\u003eSemi-aggressive, especially to other 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\u003ePlanktivore; mysis, enriched brine and meaty planktonic foods, plus some marine algae\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\u003eLarge, established reef and FOWLR systems with strong flow\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, anthias, chromis and other robust reef fish that differ in shape, in a large aquarium with generous swimming room.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs except in very large systems, and with highly aggressive fish that will harass it. Avoid small or newly set-up tanks that cannot meet its swimming and flow needs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234133098787,"sku":"AA2665-S","price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234133131555,"sku":"AA2665","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234133164323,"sku":"AA2665-L","price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-27cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351932420387,"sku":"AA2665-XL","price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562728210723,"sku":"AA2665-S-IMP","price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562728243491,"sku":"AA2665-M-IMP","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562728276259,"sku":"AA2665-L-IMP","price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-27cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562728309027,"sku":"AA2665-XL-IMP","price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/thompsons-tang-43090656297251.webp?v=1790305844","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/thompsons-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}