All fish / Acanthuridae

Blue tang

Paracanthurus hepatus

Also known as regal tang, palette surgeonfish, hippo tang, dory, 蓝吊

Royal blue surgeonfish with a black 'palette' mark and a yellow tail. Nearly all are wild-caught.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

Alone, or a group in a very large tank

Diet

Omnivore: algae sheets, mysis, marine pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 20 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific reefs

Breeding

Not bred in home aquariums; captive breeding is still rare.

Good to know

Prone to white spot; needs a long, mature reef tank.