Tangs are active, fast-swimming herbivores that spend most of their day grazing on algae, and can become territorial, especially towards other tangs or similar-shaped fish. Generally considered reef-safe, they rarely bother corals, but may occasionally nip at certain fleshy LPS if underfed. Due to their size and constant movement, they need plenty of open swimming space and strong filtration, with a minimum aquarium size of around 300–400 litres for the smaller species and significantly larger, 4–5 ft plus systems for bigger tangs. Providing lots of rockwork for grazing and hiding, along with a varied, algae-rich diet, helps reduce stress and aggression and keeps them in top condition.
