Blue Tang - Paracnathurus Hepatus

Amongst the surgeonfish family acanthuridae (Tangs), there one or two that rightly stand out as brilliant beauties. The blue tang is among other tangs that are constantly beloved for their beautiful colors along with their famous cousin, the yellow tang. These two main surgeonfish are the faces of the surgeonfish family of fish, as such, they are exceedingly well-liked among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts.


Given the scientific title Paracanthurus Hepatus, the blue tang fish is a regular offering in the marine trade that is found in great groups from the Indo Pacific. As a result, they generally are considered a less expensive than usual tang to purchase. You'll probably have to fork out between $30 and $50 per fish according on size. They are additionally recognized as the Regal tang and the blue hippo tang.

They are stunningly colored. Their complete body is a vivid electric blue along with a prominent black mark on its higher half of the body that stretches next to to the back of the surgeonfish. The caudal fins on this species are altogether yellow. There are a number of variants that are known as the blue bellied blue tangs that do arrive into the trade from time to time. These specimens commonly cost quite a bit more than standard species.

Thought of as a large tang, they can top out at a length of 12 inches in the aquarium. Fishes in captivity frequently do not reach lengths of wild collected tangs so expect an usual adult length of around 10 inches. Like all members of the surgeonfish group, they can be vulnerable to marine parasites in addition to lateral line erosion.

Lateral line erosion is thought to be a consequence of a dietary deficiency which is why it is exceptionally crucial to aim to imitate their normal diets in the wild. They are a grazing surgeonfish that group in great shoals in the wild where these fish wander the reef in search of algae to feed on.

As they are largely green eaters, such bias must be shown throughout feeding to make certain a extended and wholesome existence in the aquarium. They are commonly straightforward feeders and will eat a broad range of fish food including dry pellets, frozen meat seafood as well as algae.