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Blue Tang

Caribbean Blue Tang ~ Atlantic Blue Tang

Family: AcanthuridaePicture of a Blue Tang, Caribbean BlueTang, or Atlantic Blue Tang - Acanthurus coeruleusAcanthurus coeruleusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough
Latest Reader Comment - See More
I have the Atlantic Blue Tang, have had since a baby. He is starting to turn blue. I love him. I also have a Sailfin and Blonde Naso tang in the same tank. They... (more)  CONNIE

   Though the Blue Tang is a bit more difficult to keep than some of the other surgeonfish, its beauty makes it a wonderful marine aquarium addition!

   This Blue Tang shown here, also known as the Caribbean Blue Tang or Atlantic Blue Tang, looks like it is changing from the juvenile to the adult coloration. Juveniles are mostly yellow with blue fin edges. Sometimes in transition, they will develop a blue body with yellow fin edges. The caudal spine is always yellow, even though this picture does not show it.

  This tang is a bit more difficult to keep than some of the other tangs. Close attention must be given to its diet and to maintaining good water quality.

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


Caribbean Blue Tangs

School of Fish - Roatan Honduras
Geographic Distribution
Acanthurus coeruleus
Data provided by FishBase.org
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Perciformes
  • Family: Acanthuridae

Maintenance difficulty:    The Blue Tang, the Caribbean Blue Tang or Atlantic Blue Tang is moderately difficult to keep. They seem to be more delicate than the Yellow or Regal Tangs.

Maintenance:    It is important that you feed Tangs a good variety of live, frozen, and prepared formula foods with emphasis on vegetables and spirulina. Best to feed small amounts several times a day.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:    Blue Tang, the Caribbean Blue Tang or Atlantic Blue Tang are found in the Caribbean, from Bermuda along Florida to Brazil. It is found at depths of 2 to 18 meters.

Foods:    Mainly found grazing on algae. Will accept brine shrimp, mysis, plankton, and krill. After acclimation they will usually eat all kinds of foods including flakes.

Social Behaviors:    Usually found in pairs or small groups, very seldom seen in groups of more than 10 fish.

Sexual differences:    Unknown.

Light: Recommended light levels:    Found in areas with sunlight.

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, the Caribbean Blue Tang or Atlantic Blue Tang adults can grow to 35 cm (13.5 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 75 gallon aquarium is recommended. They usually do better in larger aquariums because they like lots of room to swim.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong    No special requirements. Carribean Blue Tang

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

Availability:    This fish is occasionally available at retailers. It is priced starting at about $27.00 USD and up.

Acanthurus Coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang Medium Adult Acanthurus Coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang Medium Adult
Offered By: That Pet Place
Price: $59.99
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Acanthurus Coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang Small Adult Acanthurus Coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang Small Adult
Offered By: That Pet Place
Price: $39.99
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Acanthurus Coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang Small Juvenile Acanthurus Coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang Small Juvenile
Offered By: That Pet Place
Price: $29.99
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Acanthurus Coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang Medium Juvenile Acanthurus Coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang Medium Juvenile
Offered By: That Pet Place
Price: $29.99
Compare products and prices!
Lastest Comments on Caribbean Blue Tang

CONNIE - 2007-09-13
I have the Atlantic Blue Tang, have had since a baby. He is starting to turn blue. I love him. I also have a Sailfin and Blonde Naso tang in the same tank. They get along so well.

Reply
nykira - 2011-01-21
Why do they change color?

Reply
Mike Trautt - 2006-04-01
I have had a juvenile for 2 months (3 inches). After the first week when the Yellow Tang tried relentlessly to kill him, the Atlantic Blue has now settled in very well. I have a 180 gallon reef with rockwork that allowed the Atlantic Blue to completly disappear and hide. Now he swims freely with the Yellow tang and all other fishes.

Click For Replies (1)
  • Darren - 2010-08-17
    Mike - how is your tang doing these days?
Reply
Jacob C. - 2010-06-24
This is my favorite fish, they're so beautiful. I am making a Caribbean native forty gallon breeder tank. Please tell be good details about this fish, so far we have most of our things to be ready to cycle, we'll be ready for a blue tang in a week or so. Send a comment describing this fish's qualities and character. I want to know everything there is to know about this wonderful Caribbean beauty!

Reply
Fay Grigg - 2006-01-20
Have just purchased Atlantic Blue Tang and I love him, he has settled in well and feeding at present mainly on spurulina, nori and seems to be accepting cyclop-eeze not interested in pellet food yet.
He is an adult fish and gets on with all the other fish.

Reply
Fay Grigg - 2006-01-20
I forgot to say he is also eating frozen mytus, green mix and whitebait adding a clove of crushed garlic seems to love it.

Reply

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