| The Pacific blue or regal tang's scientific name is | | | | reef safe. A minimum tank size of 75 gallon is |
| Paracanthurus hepatus. This species is the sole | | | | recommended. 100+ is considered ideal. |
| member of the genus Paracanthurus. It belongs | | | | These fish are easy to maintain and can be kept |
| to the family Acanthuridae. This species can be | | | | by novice aquarists. They are, however, more |
| found from Japan, throughout the Indian Ocean | | | | susceptible to fin erosion, lateral line disease, ich |
| down the east coast of Africa and south to the | | | | and other skin parasites than many marine |
| Great Barrier Reef. Populations also exist from | | | | species. Maintaining ideal water conditions will help |
| Japan to the Hawaiian Islands. Tangs are part of a | | | | to avoid such complications. Caution is advised |
| larger grouping of fish commonly referred to as | | | | when handling these fish or any other surgeonfish. |
| surgeonfish. These species have razor sharp | | | | When threatened they will thrash wildly from side |
| spurs on their bodies near the base of their tail | | | | to side in hopes of slashing open their would be |
| that will lacerate skin just like a surgeon's scalpel. | | | | predators. They are perfectly capable of inflicting |
| This is a relatively large fish that will range from | | | | deep wounds that often result in swelling and |
| 8-12 inches as an adult. Its body is oval in shape, | | | | discoloration and pose a significant risk of infection. |
| a characteristic common to many tangs. Primary | | | | These are omnivorous creatures. Juveniles feed |
| coloration is a beautiful royal blue with a bright | | | | primarily on zooplankton. Adults lean much more |
| yellow triangular marking that begins on the | | | | toward herbivore dietary habits. Seaweed and |
| anterior of its body region and extends to the tip | | | | algae provide their main sustenance in life. This |
| of its caudal fin. The most distinguishing feature of | | | | species is extremely beneficial in home aquariums. |
| this species is the black patterning on its body. | | | | They are excellent at keeping algae in check and |
| This bold patterning begins below the fish's eye, | | | | will keep your living rock freshly mowed and your |
| loops around the entire length of its back and | | | | corals nice and clean. |
| then circles back around its mid-body section | | | | In captivity this fish will eat mysis and vitamin |
| forming a distinctive blue oval just behind the | | | | enriched brine shrimp. They will also nibble at flake |
| head. The flow of this patterning combined with | | | | and pellets that may be intended for other |
| the hole in the middle bears a striking resemblance | | | | member of the community. This is to be |
| to a painter's palette. Aside from its two most | | | | expected. Make sure to adequately address their |
| common names, the regal tang is also marketed | | | | nutritional needs for plant matter. A well |
| as the palette surgeonfish, Hepatus tang, blue | | | | established collection of living rock is mandatory. |
| hippo tang, yellow-tail blue tang, and the | | | | Fish food formulated for herbivores can be |
| yellow-belly blue tang. The members of this | | | | supplemented with dried algae sheets. With proper |
| species endemic to the west-central Indian Ocean | | | | diet and living conditions these fish may live to 20 |
| typically have yellow bellies. | | | | years of age. |
| Pacific blues are considered a peaceful species. | | | | Most tangs are protogynous hermaphrodites. If |
| They make wonderful additions to a multi-species | | | | two juvenile are introduced into an aquarium |
| tank provided their tank mates are equally docile. | | | | together the largest most dominant of the two |
| This fish is tolerant of other tangs but may | | | | will transform into a male. A male and female |
| demonstrate territorial behavior toward conspefics | | | | may be successfully housed together. These fish |
| (members of its own species). They are rated | | | | rarely breed in captivity. |