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Blue Tang

Regal Tang ~ Blue Surgeonfish ~ Indo-Pacific Blue Tang

Family: AcanthuridaeParacanthurus hepatusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Readily available and very beautiful, the Blue Tang is probably the second most popular tang next to the Yellow tang!

Dr. Jungle says...."Nemo's best friend 'Dory' in the movie "Finding Nemo" certainly helped with the Blue Tang's popularity!"

   The Blue Tang is also known as the Regal Tang, Blue Surgeonfish, and Indo-Pacific Blue Tang. This gorgeous fish is readily available, easy to keep, and is very interesting to watch. We knew of one that would spend time everyday in play, chasing bubbles from the bottom of the aquarium to the top!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Geographic Distribution Paracanthurus hepatus Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Acanthuridae

Maintenance difficulty:    The Blue Tang, Regal Tang, Blue Surgeonfish, or Indo-Pacific Blue Tang is easy to keep.

Maintenance:    It is important that you feed tangs a good variety of live, frozen, and prepared formula foods. The Blue Tang eats zooplankton so they should be fed brine shrimp, mysis, grindal worms, and flake food. It is best to feed small amounts several times a day.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:    Blue Tang, Regal Tang, Blue Surgeonfish, or Indo-Pacific Blue Tang are found in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Japan. Swims at depths of 10 to 40 meters.

Foods:    In the sea they eat mainly zooplankton.

Social Behaviors:    Juveniles are found in groups feeding on zooplankton in the current rich outer reef terraces. Juveniles feed above isolated coral stalks of Pocillopora eydouxi. When threatened, they will take refuge in the coral stalks. Adults are solitary.

Sexual differences:    Unknown.

Light: Recommended light levels:    No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:    Probably will not be accomplished in captivity. See the description in the Breeding Marine Fish page.

Temperature:    No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 75 and 79 degrees.

Length/Diameter of fish:    Blue Tang, Regal Tang, Blue Surgeonfish, or Indo-Pacific Blue Tang adults can grow to 30 cm (12 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 75 gallon aquarium is recommended for an adult.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong    No special requirements.

Photo courtesy: John Rice

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom    Swims all over the aquarium.

Availability:    This fish is readily available and is inexpensive.

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Lastest Comments on Blue Tang View all 59 comments on Blue Tang Add Your Comment

katie - 2010-05-29 Hi I have had 2 blue tangs in my tank for 3 weeks. And I know 1 of them is really stressed but the other is always hiding behind the rocks and isn't coming out to feed because the other one that is stressed, when the one isn't feeding it wants to come out from behind the rocks but it can't because of the one that is stressed is chasing after it to get back behind the rocks. Why isnt it coming out and feeding? Click For Replies (1) Pete - 2011-06-18 You are only supposed to keep one on its own. They are solitary fish Reply

Wes Goedjen - 2006-08-12 Just make sure when you have two tangs, in our case a yellow and a blue...that they are the same size when added. We have a 150 gallon tank with 60 pounds of live rock and our yellow attacked and unfortunetely killed our Dory!! Click For Replies (2) Pete - 2011-06-18 Next time do your research, as many fish on the reef will not get on in the small confines of a tank. kate - 2011-10-07 60 pounds isnt a lot of rock for a 150. Reply

ryan bull - 2005-10-26 i've had 2 regal tangs for over 12 years and produced 3 young from them. it takes a long time to get them going but it well worth the effort in the long run. Click For Replies (1) Pete - 2011-06-18 You must be the only person who has bred tangs in captivity. Lucky you. Reply

AndrewPeacock - 2010-05-25 Is it a good beginning fish? Click For Replies (3) raeann - 2010-07-10 Yes. kkee - 2010-11-29 Nnnnnnooooo!!! Pete - 2011-06-18 Yes, in a well matured tank you shouldn't have too many problems. Reply

MaDdIeElIzAbEtH - 2011-02-03 I had this huge science project to do and its due tomorrow. I waited until last minute to do it because I have been sick. THANK YOU! I got all the information I needed! Click For Replies (1) Mae - 2011-05-24 omg! That is exactly what happened to me to and this site helped! Reply

Trish - 2011-04-03 I am amazed reading all the comments about Dory! I must have gotten the "mean Dory" because she is nothing like the Dory in the Movie. I strongly believe that Dory is threatend by me because she came into the marriage via my husband one year ago. She HATES me and recently my husband bought me a tiny cute Dory (I named her DOLLY) so when he let her out into the tank, big Dory attacked her and chewed a good chunk of her tail. It is like Dory knew Dolly was mine and just took it out on her. So dolly is doing so much better now but Dory chases her and lets her know who is BOSS! Dory makes loud popping noises when she sees me and she loves to sleep! Wow. One day I clearly upset her and she got sick, spots and puffy eyes, my husband checked the 100 gallon aquarium and all was fine. So I have to be on my best behavior and not upset Dory. It is amazing. She runs the WHOLE aquarium! No joke. I love this fish despite her dislike for me and Dolly. She has a very unique character and they are beautiful! Click For Replies (2) DV - 2011-04-30 You can not put two dory's in one tank. Trish Anonymous - 2011-05-15 Blue tangs will most likely get agressive towards each other when put in the same tank, especially if they are both actually males (despite the girl names). Reply

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