{"product_id":"chocolate-tang-acanthurus-pyroferus-saltwater","title":"Chocolate Tang (Acanthurus pyroferus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eChocolate Tang\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eAcanthurus pyroferus\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Mimic Tang, is a true surgeonfish with one of the strangest life stories on the reef. Juveniles copy the look of dwarf angelfish to discourage predators, then slowly trade that disguise for the warm brown body, orange shoulder patch, and dark cheek bar of the adult. It is a hardy, reef-safe grazer with an intermediate care level and a semi-aggressive streak toward other tangs. This is a medium-large fish, so it has real presence right away. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater selection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive it swimming room and a steady supply of algae and it will spend its day cruising the rockwork and picking at surfaces. Stock up on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-three-weed-blend-30g-seaweed-tangs\"\u003eRod's Food Three Weed Blend\u003c\/a\u003e and see our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003efish food\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 125 gallons or larger, with long open swimming lanes. This species reaches about 10 inches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 80°F, specific gravity 1.023 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4, dKH 8 to 12. Stable, well oxygenated water with good flow suits it best.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open rockwork with caves and overhangs gives it cover to shelter in and live rock to graze.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbivorous grazer. Offer seaweed on a clip daily, such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-three-weed-blend-30g-seaweed-tangs\"\u003eThree Weed Blend\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-leafy-purple-seaweed-30g-tang-food\"\u003eLeafy Purple Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e, plus \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-herbivore-tabs-85g-probiotic-sinking-fish-food\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet Herbivore Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e and some frozen mysis for variety. Several small feedings beat one large one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp spine at the base of the tail. Use a container rather than a net when you can.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:6px 0 12px;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eChocolate Tang, Mimic Tang, Chocolate Surgeonfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAcanthurus pyroferus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize Offered\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMedium-Large\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax Adult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 10 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e125 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHerbivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.023 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReef safe with corals and invertebrates. It does well with clownfish, gobies, blennies, wrasses, and other community reef fish, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/emerald-crab-mithraculus-sculptus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eemerald crabs\u003c\/a\u003e are fine in the same system. Be careful with other tangs, especially similar shapes. If you are mixing it with fish like a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scopas-tang-zebrasoma-scopas-saltwater\"\u003eScopas Tang\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/clown-tang-acanthurus-lineatus-saltwater\"\u003eClown Tang\u003c\/a\u003e, use a large tank and add them at the same time when possible. Keep one per tank unless the system is very large.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-three-weed-blend-30g-seaweed-tangs\"\u003eRod's Food Three Weed Blend\u003c\/a\u003e, a daily seaweed staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-leafy-purple-seaweed-30g-tang-food\"\u003eRod's Food Leafy Purple Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-herbivore-tabs-85g-probiotic-sinking-fish-food\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet Herbivore Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brightwell-angelixir-amino-acid-food-soak\"\u003eBrightwell AngeLixir\u003c\/a\u003e food soak for picky eaters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater testing kits\u003c\/a\u003e to keep your reef parameters steady\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a Chocolate Tang the same as a Mimic Tang?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Both names refer to \u003cem\u003eAcanthurus pyroferus\u003c\/em\u003e. \"Mimic\" comes from the juvenile's habit of copying dwarf angelfish, and \"Chocolate\" describes the adult color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the color change?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, gradually. Younger fish can show gold and yellow tones, and they shift toward the rich brown of the adult as they grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe for my reef?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It grazes algae and leaves corals and invertebrates alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size tank does it need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlan on 125 gallons or more. It may look fine in less for now, but it needs the swimming room as it grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Medium-Large","offer_id":51004431368411,"sku":"SQ-CHOCOLATETANGM","price":159.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/ChatGPT_Image_Oct_31_2026_07_40_27_PM.png?v=1793490042","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/chocolate-tang-acanthurus-pyroferus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}