Common name: Blue tang

General information

The Blue Tang, scientifically known as Paracanthurus hepatus, is a vibrant and popular marine fish known for its striking blue body, black 'palette' design, and yellow tail. It gained widespread recognition from the movie 'Finding Dory', where the character Dory is a Blue Tang. This species is part of the surgeonfish family, named for the scalpel-like spine on their caudal peduncle, which can be used for defense.

Care

Blue Tangs require a spacious tank with plenty of room to swim and a well-established environment with live rock for grazing on algae. They are sensitive to water quality, so maintaining pristine conditions is crucial. A varied diet of marine-based algae and meaty foods will help keep them healthy and retain their coloration.

Reproduction

In the wild, Blue Tangs are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. The larvae are planktonic before settling to the reef. Breeding in captivity is challenging and not commonly achieved by hobbyists.

Symbiosis

While not known for a specific symbiotic relationship like clownfish with anemones, Blue Tangs may engage in cleaning behavior, where they allow cleaner shrimp and cleaner wrasse to remove parasites.

Habitat

Blue Tangs are found on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. They prefer clear water and are typically seen at depths from the surface to about 40 meters. Their range extends from East Africa to Japan and south to Australia and the Solomon Islands.