Blue Tang

Paracanthurus hepatus

Least Concern Saltwater

Longitud Máxima

31,0 cm

Peso Máximo

0,6 kg

Color

Royal blue body with a …

Rango de Profundidad

2-40m

Familia

Pomacentridae

Categoría

Aquarium Fish

Acerca de

The blue tang, also known as the regal tang or palette surgeonfish, is recognized by its vivid blue body, black palette pattern, and yellow tail. Popularized by animated films, it has a retractable scalpel-like spine near its tail for defense.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	31,0 cm
Maximum Weight	0,6 kg
Rango de Profundidad	2-40m

Coloration

Royal blue body with a bold black palette-shaped marking from eye along the back and down the flank; caudal fin is bright canary yellow with blue base; upper and lower body margins have blue-black lines.

Habitat & Distribution

Coral reefs

Tipo de Agua

Saltwater

Rango de Profundidad

2-40m

Distribución Geográfica

Indo-Pacific from East Africa and the Red Sea east across the Indian Ocean to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia. Common on surge-exposed outer reef crests and slope habitats of the Coral Triangle and Maldives.

Países

🇦🇺 Australia

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Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Blue Tang is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Comestibilidad y Gastronomía

Sabor

Not consumed — a beloved ornamental reef fish known for its vibrant cobalt-blue coloration; popularized worldwide by animated films and kept in marine aquariums.

Cuidado en Acuario

Nivel de Cuidado

Temperamento

Semi-Aggressive

Tamaño Mínimo del Acuario

450 litros

Temperatura

24-28

Rango de pH

8.0-8.4

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Taxonomy

Orden	Perciformes (Perch-like fishes)
Familia	Pomacentridae (Damselfishes)
Especies	Paracanthurus hepatus

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
Arabic	الهيبو تانج
Chinese (Simplified)	黃尾副刺尾魚
German	Paletten-Doktorfisch
Japanese	ナンヨウハギ
Korean	청색양쥐돔
Portuguese	Cirurgião-patela
Russian	голубой хирург
Thai	ปลาขี้ตังเบ็ดฟ้า

Preguntas Frecuentes

Can you eat Blue Tang?

Not consumed — a beloved ornamental reef fish known for its vibrant cobalt-blue coloration; popularized worldwide by animated films and kept in marine aquariums.

How big does Blue Tang get?

Blue Tang can grow up to 31.0 cm long and weigh 0.6 kg.

Is Blue Tang good for aquariums?

Blue tang has a moderate care level, a semi_aggressive temperament, requires a minimum tank size of 450 liters.

Where is Blue Tang found?

Is Blue Tang endangered?

The conservation status of Blue Tang is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Blue Tang belong to?

Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) belongs to the family Pomacentridae (Damselfishes) in the order Perciformes (Perch-like fishes).