Lavender Tang
Acanthurus nigrofuscus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Algae Control |
| Diet Type | Herbivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 90 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Lavender Tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) is a constant grazer that helps control film and turf algae on rockwork while staying reef compatible with corals. Its body color often reads as a soft lavender to dusky brown with fine bluish lines and small orange freckling around the face, a look that shifts slightly under different lighting.
What You’ll Observe:
- Spends most of the day cruising the rock and picking at algae-covered surfaces
- Makes quick laps through open water, then returns to grazing routes it “patrols”
- Learns feeding times and comes to the front for nori and herbivore foods
- Tucks into rockwork to rest, often choosing the same crevice each night
For best results, provide a mix of open swimming room and established live rock for natural grazing. Offer nori on a clip plus quality herbivore pellets and frozen foods so it can feed in multiple short sessions throughout the day. This species is a widely used, hardy algae scraper when given space and steady feeding.
Is it normal for a Lavender Tang to look more brown than lavender?
Yes—many keepers report the base color looks more “dusky” in whiter lighting, and more lavender under bluer spectrum or at dawn/dusk.
How quickly should it start grazing after acclimation?
Many will begin picking at rocks within the first day; once settled, grazing becomes the main daytime routine.
Will it clear hair algae by itself?
It usually helps most with film/turf algae and new growth on rock; tougher, long hair algae often improves fastest when feeding/nutrients and manual removal are addressed too.
Does it need a specific “sleeping spot”?
It commonly chooses one or two rock crevices and returns to them nightly; this is normal behavior and a good sign it feels secure.
What’s a simple way to keep it from outcompeting slower feeders at mealtime?
Using a nori clip and spreading foods across two areas lets it graze while other fish eat, so feeding stays calmer and more consistent.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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