Lavender Tang (Acanthurus Nigrofuscus)
Also Known As: Spot-Cheek Surgeonfish
Compatibility and Behavior
The Lavender Tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) is one of the more understated members of the genus, and that's exactly its charm. The body runs a muted gray-brown to smoky lavender, often picking up a subtle violet cast under reef lighting, with many specimens showing delicate speckling and darker shading along the flanks. A slightly elongated head, clean fin lines, and faint facial markings give it a refined look that's a nice change of pace from the bolder, high-contrast tangs. Temperament-wise, Lavenders tend to be peaceful to semi-aggressive and are often milder than many of the showpiece Acanthurus species, particularly when they've got room and good rockwork. They're typically reef safe, spending most of the day browsing film and filamentous algae off rock, glass, and other hard surfaces rather than picking at corals or ornamental inverts. They may posture or spar with other tangs, especially similarly shaped herbivores, but in most cases they coexist well with community fish like clownfish, wrasses, Anthias, chromis, and gobies in a thoughtfully stocked tank.
Aquarium Requirements
Lavender Tangs do best in mature reef aquariums with plenty of live rock and strong, consistent flow. For medium specimens in the 2.5 to 4 inch range, a tank of around 120 gallons with a long footprint is a solid starting point, with larger systems preferred for 4 to 5 inch adults and for long-term comfort. Aquascape with open swimming lanes and porous rock that forms ledges, arches, and shaded retreats, maximizing surface area for the algae and biofilm growth that fuels their constant grazing. Robust filtration and well-oxygenated water help match their active lifestyle. Supplement their picking with regular feedings of nori, marine algae, and spirulina-based herbivore foods to keep them well nourished, curb aggression, and hold those soft lavender tones.
Specifications
Approximate Size: Md: 2.5–4", Lg: 4–5"
Diet: Primarily herbivorous. Film and filamentous algae, nori, spirulina-based foods, with occasional frozen mysis shrimp
Origin: Indo-Pacific reef regions
Care Level: Intermediate
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive; may be territorial toward other tangs and similarly shaped grazers
Minimum Tank Size: 120 gallons
Pairs well with
Lavender Tang (Acanthurus Nigrofuscus)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
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- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.