Orange Shoulder Tang

Orange Shoulder Tangs don't arrive with their signature look — juveniles are solid lemon yellow, and the bold orange "shoulder" patch and electric blue lips only show up once the fish matures, a slow costume change that can take months to finish. Like every surgeonfish, it's carrying a folding scalpel blade at the base of its tail, sheathed until a territorial dispute calls it into service.

Care level: Moderate · Temperament: Semi-aggressive · Max size: ~16" · Min tank: 150+ gal · Diet: Herbivore, algae + herbivore pellets