Whitecheek Tang

The Whitecheek Tang is a striking and popular surgeonfish easily recognized by its jet-black body contrasted with a prominent white tear-drop marking below the eye and a bright yellow stripe along the base of the dorsal fin. A vivid orange caudal spine adds another splash of color to this elegant fish, making it one of the more visually dramatic Acanthurus species.

In the wild, Whitecheek Tangs inhabit coral reefs and rocky areas throughout the Indo-Pacific, typically at depths of 1 to 25 meters. They are territorial grazers that establish and defend feeding territories on the reef, where they feed on filamentous and turf algae. This territorial nature carries over into aquarium life, where they can be particularly aggressive toward other tangs.

In captivity, the Whitecheek Tang does well in tanks of 125 gallons or more. At a maximum size of about 8 inches, it is one of the more manageable tangs for medium-to-large home aquariums. However, its semi-aggressive temperament and intolerance of similar-looking fish mean careful consideration must be given to tankmate selection. Like all tangs, it requires excellent water quality and a primarily algae-based diet.