The Orange Shoulder Tang (Acanthurus olivaceus) is a hardy and active fish that can make a great addition to a large reef or fish-only marine tank. Here’s what you need to know about their care:
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons (due to their large adult size and active swimming habits)
Temperature: 74-82°F (23-28°C)
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.023-1.026
Flow: Moderate to high (they enjoy strong currents)
Primarily Herbivorous: Feed a diet rich in marine algae and seaweed (nori, spirulina, and high-quality herbivore pellets).
Occasionally Carnivorous: They will accept meaty foods like mysis shrimp and brine shrimp but should not be the primary diet.
Frequent Feedings: They need multiple small meals throughout the day.
Generally Peaceful: Can be aggressive towards other tangs, especially if introduced after them.
Best Kept: Either alone or in a large system with other tangs introduced simultaneously.
Reef Safe: They won’t bother corals but might nip at macroalgae in a refugium.
Size: Can grow up to 14 inches (35 cm)
Lifespan: 10-15 years with proper care
Juveniles have a uniform brownish-yellow coloration and develop their signature orange shoulder patch as they mature.
Requires ample swimming space and plenty of rockwork for grazing.
Strong filtration is needed due to their high metabolism and frequent feeding.