Regal Blue Tang
Paracanthurus hepatus · family Acanthuridae
Also: Palette Surgeonfish, Pacific Blue Tang, Dory Fish
Parameters
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 12–18 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 380 L
- Maximum size
- up to 25 cm
- Group size
- min 1, ideal 1
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swimming zone
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Lifespan
- 10–20 years
Description
The Regal Blue Tang or Palette Surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus) is an iconic marine reef species boasting a royal-blue body, black 'painter's palette' markings, and a bright yellow tail. It is a tireless open-water swimmer and reef herbivore that requires a spacious 380+ liter (100+ gallon) marine tank at SG 1.023–1.025 and pH 8.1–8.4.
Care
Provide a long 380+ liter (100+ gallon) reef tank with strong wavemaker circulation (15–20x turnover), heavy protein skimming, UV sterilization to guard against Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans), and rock crevices for sleeping.
Feeding
Base 70%+ of their diet on dried marine nori sheets on a veggie clip and spirulina pellets, supplemented with garlic-enriched Mysis shrimp.
Breeding
Pelagic broadcast spawner in strong open-ocean currents; rarely bred outside large commercial marine aquaculture facilities.
Compatibility
- Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Прекрасно уживаются в просторных рифовых аквариумах от 380 л. / Iconic, peaceful tank mates in large 380+ liter marine reef aquariums.
Good - Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Голубой хирург регулярно подплывает к креветке-доктору для чистки кожи и жабр от паразитов. / Blue Tangs actively visit Skunk Cleaner Shrimp cleaning stations for parasite removal.
Good
FAQ
- Why is my Blue Tang wedged sideways in a rock crevice?
- Blue Tangs naturally wedge themselves flat into narrow coral or rock crevices when sleeping or startled, locking themselves in place with their caudal spine.
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- FishBase: Paracanthurus hepatus · FishBase · 2026-05-22
- Seriously Fish: Paracanthurus hepatus · Seriously Fish · 2026-05-22