Animal-World > Marine - Saltwater Fish > Surgeonfish > Blue Tang

Blue TangRegal Tang ~ Blue Surgeonfish ~ Indo-Pacific Blue Tang

Family: Acanthuridae

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Paracanthurus 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

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.

Buy Blue Tang From LiveAquaria.com

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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Latest Comments
I had a report to do for school. I wanted to do something that has to do with nemo but I didn't have the time to look up the movie type of fish. They had in the movie, but I typed in the top 10 most beautiful fish and this was listed number 6. Any way I loved learning about this fish. I am going to do an extra credit project on it! go fish! hello 2010-01-26
I love dory! =) They are so pretty and and amazing fish! I have this inside joke with my friend chris, since I've hit my head so many times like dory. he calls me that all the time! It can be annoying, but I don't mind cuz dory is such a cool fish! aris/dory 2010-01-23
Regal tangs are cute, clever and nice looking. Last week I bought one from a pet shop in china town. It was very skinny at first but after lots of feeding it finally grew bigger. I feed it with fish food, vegetables, and prawns. Thomas 2009-05-26
I just got my beautiful regal which I have named Betty. She is around 3 inches and cost only £25. She is very curious and comes right up to the side to have a good look! Harriette 2009-04-14
I hope all fishkeepers will not overstock their aquariums thus causing unnecessary stress and deaths of beautiful fishes. Keep in mind that they are cute when small, but will grow large. We all need to be responsible as it is a privilege to have a replica of the living sea in our homes. I have a 90 gallon tank and my hippo tang has been an only child for almost 1 year. I finally decided to add one more fish - a yellow tang (different color/body shape) because tangs can become very aggressive towards their own species. The great news is that they hit it off and are best buddies. My hippo tang has never been happier. They spend the day swimming together and the yellow tang has finally gotten the hippo tang to eat kelp flakes. Go figure! Linda 2008-10-30
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Also found this sentence from another poster after tons of digging: The blue tang is of minor commercial fisheries importance, however it is occasionally utilized as a bait fish. The flesh has a strong odor and is not highly prized. This fish may cause ciguatera poisoning if consumed by humans. However, blue tangs are collected commercially for the aquarium trade. An unwary human who tries to handle the blue tang risks the chances of being badly cut by the caudal spine. These spines, on both sides of the caudal peduncle, are extended from the body when the fish becomes excited. The quick, thrashing sideways motion of the tail can produce deep wounds that result in swelling and discoloration, posing a high risk of infection. The pain can last for hours, until eventually subsiding into a dull ache. It is believed that some species of Acanthurus have venom glands while others do not. The spines are used only as a method of protection against aggressors. Having one in an aquarium and cornering it will most likely result in injury. Grace 2009-01-28
The Blue Regal Tang is a great fish. Keeps the rest of my Tangs busy. I have had many years of experience in Reef keeping and have had little trouble. Many sites warn you about keeping Regals, but with care as with anything its easy. My Blue eats everything and is really cool to watch. Don't worry if you have one just enjoy the beauty of nature you have. Jim USA, Missouri 2005-07-02
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
"YO check it, dis site is da BOMB. I'm really feelin it, ya dig? Ever since I learned about da Tang I've been gettin Muh Tango ON." But in all seriousness I'm an aspiring marine biologist who wants to specialize on the Tang, and I am very interested in studying the physiology of the Tang. This site is much appreciated. MilLKkKEeeE BoOOoO0OIiIi + Da HBOMB PEZ 2008-10-06
THANK YOU! I have a huge project to do tonight (sadly I put it off until the last minute) and you have given me all the information I need on all 10 species of marine life! Once again, THANK YOU! Dancer Girl 2007-04-01
dude, this web site is the bomb! i have a huge progect to do, and i got an A+ YURIY 2007-01-28

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