Mimic Lemonpeel Tang Care Guide
Acanthurus pyroferus is an Indo-Pacific surgeonfish whose juveniles mimic Centropyge angelfish; adults are yellowish-brown and reach 29 cm.
Overview
Acanthurus pyroferus, the chocolate or mimic surgeonfish of the family Acanthuridae, is yellowish-brown with a white band around the mouth, a dark band from chin to operculum and orange patches at the pectoral fin bases. Juveniles famously mimic Centropyge angelfish. FishBase records a maximum total length of 29 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acanthuridae
- Genus: Acanthurus
- Scientific name: Acanthurus pyroferus
- Described by: Kittlitz, 1834
Habitat
The species is marine and reef-associated across the Indo-Pacific, from the Seychelles to the Marquesas and Tuamotu islands, north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. It lives solitarily on lagoon and seaward reefs in areas of mixed coral, rock or sand, with FishBase recording depths of 0-60 m, usually 5-40 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 600 L (158 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Strong water flow
- Lifespan: 10-25 years
Diet
Acanthurus pyroferus feeds on algae and detritus in the wild. In aquaria it should be offered marine algae and dried seaweed several times daily to maintain its grazing diet.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive, diurnal mid-water swimmer, this species is typically solitary on the reef. Juveniles mimic Centropyge angelfish — C. flavissima in central and eastern Pacific areas and C. vrolikii in western areas — and juveniles bear venomous grooved spines that adults lose. Wrasses, clownfish, angelfish and sturdy triggerfish make suitable tankmates, while other tangs of similar shape should be avoided in smaller systems.
Reef compatibility
The species does not consume coral and is considered reef-safe. Maintain carbonate hardness of 8-12 dKH and specific gravity of 1.024-1.026.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2010 via FishBase.