Whitecheek Tang

Important Buyer Information: At YoCamron’s Aquatics, all our livestock undergo a thorough 10-week quarantine to ensure they arrive in optimal health. Please contact us before purchasing to confirm availability and receive updates during the quarantine process. Our guarantee for live arrival applies only to shipments delivered through UPS early AM service. Please note, livestock purchased directly from our wholesaler is ONLY covered by a 2-hour live arrival guarantee under our DOA (Dead On Arrival) terms. For more details, please reach out to us directly. We’re dedicated to ensuring the best for our customers and their aquatic environments.

White Cheek Tang (Acanthurus nigricans)

Also Known As: Gold-Rim Tang, White-Margin Surgeonfish

Sizes Available: 3–4”, 4.5–5.5”, 6”+

Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive (Territorial with Other Tangs)

Reef Safe: Yes

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons+

Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Philippines

Diet: Herbivore – Pre-conditioned to Nori, Spirulina, and Frozen Foods During Quarantine

Looking for the elegance of a Powder Brown but with more durability and sharper contrast? Enter the White Cheek Tang—Acanthurus nigricans—a sleek, fast-moving herbivore known for its velvety black body, glowing gold accents, icy white cheek patch, and razor-sharp caudal spine edged in neon blue.

This is a rarely available showstopper that combines the finesse of a surgeonfish with the striking appearance of a reef centerpiece. But don’t let its beauty fool you—White Cheek Tangs demand proper care and preparation to thrive. That’s where YoCamron’s Aquatics comes in.

Our White Cheek Tangs are Different—Here’s Why:

These fish are prone to cryptocaryon (ich), bacterial infections, and stress-related appetite loss—all of which are addressed during our 10-week in-house quarantine program. We transform delicate imports into hardy, fat, vibrant swimmers using a proven, scientifically backed treatment regimen.

Our Protocol Includes:

• Copper + Chloroquine Phosphate for ich and velvet eradication
• Formalin dips for flukes and protozoan control
• Nitrofurazone + Kanamycin to treat/prevent internal and external bacterial infections
• Fenbendazole + Levamisole for internal parasites
• Nutritional ramp-up with garlic-infused Nori, Spirulina pellets, PE Mysis, and fresh macroalgae to restore appetite and build resistance

What You Can Expect:

• Fully transitioned to prepared foods and tank life—no starvation issues here
• Bulletproof and behaviorally stable—socialized and monitored for signs of stress or aggression
• Active grazer that naturally helps with algae control
• Striking contrast makes it a perfect centerpiece in reef or FOWLR tanks

Tankmate Compatibility:

Can be territorial with other Acanthurus tangs or similar body shapes—introduce carefully in systems 180 gallons or larger. Peaceful with most wrasses, gobies, clowns, and non-competing tangs. Provide open swimming lanes, high oxygenation, and seaweed daily for best results.

This is not a fish you find often in full quarantine condition—and when you do, it moves fast. Whether you’re an experienced tang keeper or looking for a bold upgrade to your reef, the White Cheek Tang from YoCamron’s Aquatics is your ticket to success with a species many consider “advanced-only.”

Ready to reserve a healthy, feeding, and stress-hardened White Cheek?

Message us now—limited availability and high demand. When they’re gone, they’re gone.