| The Blue Tang (Paracanthurus Hepatus) enjoys the | | | | collected, there will be many small specimens no |
| distinction of being one of the five most recognizable | | | | bigger than an inch. At that size they will grow very |
| maine fishes along with the percula clown-fish, flame | | | | very fast so don't be fooled into putting them in a 30 |
| angel, yellow tang and the royal gramma . It remains | | | | gallon tank. |
| the sole species under the genus Paracanthurus. Its | | | | Large amounts of room are required by this fish so |
| body is a stunning bright blue while it has thick black | | | | the aquarium scape should be setup up accordingly. |
| markings that stretch out from its eyes to its tail. | | | | They also require a few niches/caves to bed down in |
| It was also featured in the hit animated film, Finding | | | | every night. |
| Nemo. | | | | In the wild, blue tangs are primarily herbivores. They |
| Its common names include the Regal Tang, Palette | | | | form large shoals and will graze on algae for most of |
| Surgeon-fish and the Royal Blue Tang. Along with the | | | | the day. As herbivores, they require large amounts |
| yellow tang, this fish is the most popular surgeon-fish | | | | of algae based foods in captivity. Unlike marine |
| in the hobby. One of the most heavily collected | | | | angelfish, they are completely reef safe and do not |
| fishes from the Indo-Pacific, they are very | | | | bother corals, making them hugely popular fish for |
| affordable. Juveniles retail for around $25 while adults | | | | large marine reef aquariums. |
| can fetch up to $80 per specimen. | | | | Nori/seaweed sheets are a favorite offering among |
| The blue tang, like all surgeon-fish is susceptible to | | | | hobbyists. You can buy either branded seaweed |
| lateral line erosion and marine parasites so pick your | | | | (Julian Sprung)or you can run down to your local |
| specimens with care. | | | | supermarket and get some cheap nori there. Buy |
| The blue tang is a relatively peaceful fish towards | | | | unflavored, plain nori. Avoid those that are come |
| other species outside the tang family. Which is why | | | | spiced. Attach your seaweed to a nori clip and attach |
| (besides its beauty) it enjoys such popularity in the | | | | it to the side of the tank. |
| marine aquarium hobby. They can be hostile towards | | | | Blue tangs will normally consume anything offered in |
| other surgeon-fish, especially blue tangs so the | | | | captivity despite the fact that they are mainly |
| general rule should be one blue tank per aquarium. | | | | vegetarians in the wild. A small percentage of their |
| In they wild they are a shoaling fish. If many are | | | | diet should come from meaty foods. Formula one |
| kept together in a large tank they can often be seen | | | | and formula two food mixes are a good choice as |
| swimming together. When housing more than one | | | | well as krill, mysis shrimp and a high quality pellet. A |
| blue tang, they should always be introduced at the | | | | highly reputable food for all marine fishes are those |
| same time. Putting another blue tang into a tank with | | | | that are produced by New Life Spectrum. |
| an established one will certainly bring about hostilities | | | | You may see lettuce being fed to surgeon-fish at |
| between the two. | | | | pet stores. Both romaine and iceberg lettuce don't |
| Blue tangs reach a maximum length of 12 inches. As | | | | offer much nutritionally so you want to avoid lettuce |
| such they should be housed only in larger tanks | | | | altogether. |
| upwards of 100 gallons. Because this fish is heavily | | | | |