Gold Rim Tang
Acanthurus nigricans
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 4.5 - 5.5" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $490.99.$257.99Current price is: $257.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2.75 - 3.75" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $196.99.$103.99Current price is: $103.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 3.75 - 4.5" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $245.99.$128.99Current price is: $128.99. | Email me |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
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 | 120 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Gold Rim Tang (Acanthurus nigricans), also sold as the Whitecheek Tang or Gold-rimmed Surgeonfish, is a dark-bodied tang with a small pale cheek mark and yellow edging along the dorsal and anal fins. It spends much of the day grazing film algae from live rock and cruising open water between feeding stops.
What You’ll Observe:
- Steady laps through open areas with frequent stops to pick at rockwork
- Quick “surges” into higher flow, then back to grazing routes it repeats daily
- A consistent interest in clip-feeding once it learns where food appears
- Short display passes toward similar-shaped fish, especially near favorite grazing spots
Provide open swimming lanes plus rockwork with multiple grazing surfaces and a few wedge-shaped caves for nighttime resting. Offer dried seaweed on a clip and algae-based frozen foods in smaller, frequent feedings to keep it active and engaged. In mixed-tang systems, multiple feeding stations and a thoughtful introduction help it settle in and establish a routine.
Is a Gold Rim Tang the same fish as a Powder Brown Tang?
Common names get mixed in the hobby, so listings can vary by seller. If you want the exact species, confirm the scientific name on the invoice and compare the fish to the vendor’s photos.
Why does my Gold Rim Tang do tight circles or “hot laps” in the flow?
Many tangs “surf” strong flow or react to reflections in the glass. Adjusting room lighting, adding a background, or changing pump direction often changes the pattern.
How do I get it to eat nori from a clip?
Place the clip near its usual grazing route and offer a small piece daily at the same time. Some fish start faster if the nori is rubber-banded to a rock first, then transitioned to a clip.
Will its color look different after it settles in?
Yes—color can shift with lighting, activity level, and comfort in the tank. Many fish show a more even, stable look once they learn the tank’s routine.
What’s a smooth way to introduce it if I already have tangs?
A short “meet-and-see” period in an acclimation box helps everyone adjust to the newcomer. Feeding algae in more than one spot also spreads out attention and keeps the tank’s routine calm.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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