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Orange Shoulder Tang
Tang

Orange Shoulder Tang

Acanthurus olivaceus

One of the hardiest large Acanthurus, the Orange Shoulder Tang morphs from a solid lemon-yellow juvenile into a two-tone gray adult marked by a bold orange shoulder bar. Growing to about 35 cm, it grazes algae and sifts the detritus film off open sand, making it a workmanlike reef cleaner. Semi-aggressive but relatively tolerant of other tangs, it still wants a 180-gallon system with plenty of length to cruise. Reef- and invert-safe, and a good gateway to the larger surgeonfishes.

Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Max size
13.8"
Min tank
180 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe
Diet
Herbivore
Zone
Mid-water, Sand bed
Keep just one per tank — two will fight.
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Tankmates

How Orange Shoulder Tang gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Percula ClownfishOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Percula Clownfish and may harass it.Maroon ClownfishOrange Shoulder Tang and Maroon Clownfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Banggai CardinalfishOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Banggai Cardinalfish and may harass it.Radiant WrasseOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Radiant Wrasse and may harass it.Pajama CardinalfishOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Pajama Cardinalfish and may harass it.Green ChromisOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Green Chromis and may harass it.Blue DamselOrange Shoulder Tang and Blue Damsel both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yellowtail DamselOrange Shoulder Tang and Yellowtail Damsel both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Flame AngelfishOrange Shoulder Tang and Flame Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Coral Beauty AngelfishOrange Shoulder Tang and Coral Beauty Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Lemonpeel AngelfishOrange Shoulder Tang and Lemonpeel Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Bicolor AngelfishOrange Shoulder Tang and Bicolor Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Red Saddleback ClownfishOrange Shoulder Tang and Red Saddleback Clownfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yellow TangOrange Shoulder Tang and Yellow Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Helfrich's FirefishOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Helfrich's Firefish and may harass it.Red Sea ClownfishOrange Shoulder Tang and Red Sea Clownfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yasha GobyOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Yasha Goby and may harass it.Tailspot BlennyOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Tailspot Blenny and may harass it.Sailfin TangOrange Shoulder Tang and Sailfin Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Purple TangOrange Shoulder Tang and Purple Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.