Acanthurus japonicus, or the Powder Brown Tang, has a brown body with a white patch between the eye and mouth. Its dorsal and anal fins are brown with white edges, and the dorsal fin also shows a reddish-orange stripe. It has yellow edging along the top and bottom of its body, similar to the White Cheek Tang. They can grow up to 23 cm.
These tangs need a tank with plenty of swimming space and rockwork for grazing and hiding. Make sure the tank is large enough, as adults can become quite big. They are called surgeonfish because of the sharp spine (“scalpel”) near their tail, which they use for protection—handle with care. They are generally reef safe but may nip at small invertebrates if underfed. Provide a varied diet of meaty marine foods and algae. They can be aggressive toward other similar tangs.