Blue Tang : An In-Depth Guide On Paracanthurus Hepatus
The Blue Tang (Paracanthurus Hepatus) enjoys the distinction of being one of the five most recognizable maine fishes along with the percula clownfish (Percula, Ocellaris), flame angelfish (Centropyge Loriculus), yellow tang (Zebrasoma Flavescens) and the royal gramma (Gramma Loreto). It remains the sole species under the genus Paracanthurus. Beautifully colored with an iridescent blue throughout its body with thick black markings that begin from the eyes and stretch all the way to its yellow tail.
The blue tang also enjoyed the limelight as a major character in the movie, Finding Nemo. The blue tang is also known as the Hippo Tang, Royal Blue Tang, Regal Tang and the Palette Surgeonfish. Both the blue and yellow tangs combine to become the two most popular surgeonfishes in the hobby. One of the most heavily collected fishes from the Indo-Pacific, they are very affordable. Prices range from $25 fr a small specimen to $80 for an adult. As with all surgeonfish, the blue tang is susceptible to ich and lateral line erosion so pick so keep a look out for any sign of the two.
Towards other species of fish the blue tang is quite peaceful. Which is why (besides its beauty) it enjoys such popularity in the marine aquarium hobby. They can be hostile towards other surgeonfish, especially blue tangs so the general rule should be one blue tank per aquarium.
There a schooling fish in the wild. If more than one is present in a large tank, such behavior can be witnessed. Always introduce multiple blue tangs at the same time. Putting another blue tang into a tank with an established one will certainly bring about hostilities between the two.
Their maximum attainable length is 12 inches. As such they should be housed only in larger tanks upwards of 100 gallons. Due to heavy collection many, specimens no bigger than an inch are common. They grow very fast at that size and will easily outgrow a 30 gallon in a matter of months.
Ample swimming space are needed by blue tangs so the scape should reflect this. They need at least a few caves/niches as they bed down in these areas every night.
Like most of its surgeonfish cousins, blue tangs are herbivores in the wild. They form large shoals and will graze on algae for most of the day. In captivity a vast percentage of their diet should be made up of algae based foods. They are completely reef safe (Unlike marine angelfish) making them very popular choices for larger reef aquariums.
Nori/seaweed sheets are a favorite offering among hobbyists. You can either buy seaweed produced and packaged specifically for marine fishes (Julian sprungs sea veggies) or you can go to your local supermarket and buy some nori sheets there. Buy unflavoured, plain nori. Avoid those that are come spiced. Clip the sheet with a commercial nori clip or a device of your own doing and attach it to the side of the tank.
Blue tangs will normally consume anything offered in captivity despite the fact that they are mainly vegetarians in the wild. Meaty foods should make up a small percent of their daily diet.
Formula one and formula two food mixes are a good choice as well as krill, mysis shrimp and a high quality pellet. New Life Spectrum produces some excellent pellets for all marine fishes.
You may see lettuce being fed to surgeonfish at pet stores. Both romaine and iceberg lettuce don’t offer much nutritionally so you want to avoid lettuce altogether.
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