{"product_id":"yellow-mimic-tang","title":"Yellow Mimic Tang | Acanthurus pyroferus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Yellow Mimic Tang is an active, algae-grazing surgeonfish that brings colour and constant motion to a larger reef. Juveniles cleverly mimic dwarf angelfish in colour, maturing into a handsome adult that reaches around 25 cm. Give it plenty of open swimming room and grazing surfaces and it will earn its place as a hard-working, eye-catching centrepiece.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the wild, Acanthurus pyroferus ranges across Indo-Pacific reefs, grazing over coral slopes, rubble zones and algae-covered rock from the shallows down to around 60 metres. Juveniles shelter close to coral heads while adults roam more widely between reef structure and open water. Recreating a mix of live rock, grazing surfaces and open lanes helps it settle and behave naturally.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdults are a warm chocolate-brown to grey, often with subtle yellowish tones and a fine dark trim around the gill plate and tail base. The body is the classic tang oval, laterally compressed, with a single sharp scalpel on each side of the tail. Juveniles are bright yellow and mimic Centropyge dwarf angels. Good diet, clean water and low stress bring out the best colour and body condition.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as semi-aggressive, particularly toward other tangs and surgeonfish or its own kind in anything but a very large tank. It generally mixes well with unrelated species when added thoughtfully and given room. Keep only one per aquarium unless the system is very large, and add tangs last so established fish do not monopolise territory.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis is a grazing herbivore that needs plenty of marine algae in its diet. Offer dried nori and Spirulina-based foods daily, alongside quality herbivore pellets and the occasional meaty treat such as mysis. Frequent small feeds plus natural algae film on the rock keep it grazing steadily and help prevent the hollow-bellied look that signals underfeeding.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 375 L, with 450 L or larger strongly recommended for long-term health and swimming room. Keep temperature at 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.026. Surgeonfish need pristine, well-oxygenated water with strong flow and efficient filtration, plus regular 10–20% water changes. It is generally reef safe, though a hungry individual may nip at large-polyp stony corals, so keep it well fed.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcanthurus pyroferus is not bred in home aquariums. Surgeonfish are broadcast spawners that release tiny pelagic eggs into open water, and their long larval stage requires specialist facilities. For hobbyists the realistic goal is excellent long-term health, steady grazing and good body weight.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus pyroferus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellow Mimic Tang (Chocolate Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 25 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (especially to other tangs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e375 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore: marine algae, nori, Spirulina, herbivore pellets and occasional meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.026 specific gravity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature reef or FOWLR aquariums with swimming room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally reef safe (keep well fed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, wrasses, anthias, cardinalfish, gobies, blennies, dwarf angels and other peaceful to semi-aggressive reef fish, provided the tank is large and the tang is the only surgeonfish or is kept in a very spacious system.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs or surgeonfish in smaller tanks, and with aggressive triggers or large predators. Take care in coral-heavy reefs if the fish is ever underfed, as it may then sample LPS corals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234130084131,"sku":"AA1345-S","price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234130116899,"sku":"AA1345","price":129.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234130149667,"sku":"AA1345-L","price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351932059939,"sku":"AA1345-XL","price":175.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562731225379,"sku":"AA1345-S-IMP","price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562731258147,"sku":"AA1345-M-IMP","price":129.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562731290915,"sku":"AA1345-L-IMP","price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562731323683,"sku":"AA1345-XL-IMP","price":175.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/yellow-mimic-tang-43090655379747.webp?v=1790305846","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/yellow-mimic-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}