Pacific Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)

Description:
The Pacific Blue Tang, also known as the Regal Blue Tang, Palette Surgeonfish, or Hippo Tang, is a stunning and highly popular fish in the marine aquarium hobby. It is well known for its vibrant blue coloration, with a distinct yellow tail that gives it a striking appearance. The body is a rich, electric blue, and it has a unique "palette" pattern, with dark markings along its body resembling a painter's palette. The yellow tail is one of its most prominent features, and it can appear quite striking against the blue body.
As it matures, the Pacific Blue Tang can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length, so it is considered a medium-to-large fish. The fish is also recognized by its sharp spines located on the sides of the tail (hence the "surgeonfish" name), which it uses for self-defense.
Care:
Tank Size: The Pacific Blue Tang requires a spacious tank due to its size and active nature. A minimum of 75 gallons is recommended for a single adult, but a tank of 100-150 gallons is ideal to provide enough room for swimming. If you plan to keep more than one, a larger tank is essential to ensure they have enough space and don't become territorial.
Water Conditions: This tang is native to reefs in the Indo-Pacific, so it prefers stable and clean water conditions. The ideal parameters for a Pacific Blue Tang are:
Temperature: 74-80°F (23-27°C)
Salinity: 1.023-1.025 specific gravity
pH: 8.1-8.4
Ammonia, Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Less than 10 ppm
Regular monitoring and maintaining stable water quality are crucial for this species, as they are sensitive to fluctuations in water parameters.
Diet: The Pacific Blue Tang is an herbivore and primarily feeds on algae in the wild. It will graze on live rock, corals, and other plant matter. In captivity, they should be fed a vegetable-based diet, including:
Algae sheets (nori or spirulina)
Marine algae (like chaetomorpha or gracilaria)
Vegetable-based pellets or flakes
Fresh vegetables (like spinach, zucchini, or broccoli)
They also benefit from a mix of high-quality pellets and frozen foods like brine shrimp or mysis shrimp to ensure a balanced diet.
Tank Setup: Pacific Blue Tangs are active swimmers and need plenty of space to roam and graze. Provide live rock for grazing, hiding, and creating territories. A sandy substrate is ideal as it mimics their natural reef environment. You should also ensure there is adequate water flow to replicate their oceanic environment and to prevent the buildup of debris.
Since they are herbivores, it's beneficial to have a well-maintained algae population in the tank for them to graze on. Supplementing with algae sheets is important, but allowing some algae to grow naturally in the aquarium will help them feel more at home.
Social Behavior: Pacific Blue Tangs are generally peaceful fish, but they can be territorial, especially toward other tangs or surgeonfish species. They should be housed with peaceful tankmates, including clownfish, wrasses, gobies, and other non-aggressive species.
They are often kept alone in tanks to avoid aggression from other tangs, but they can be kept with a single tankmate of the same species in larger tanks (200 gallons or more), providing plenty of space to establish territories.
Companions: They are compatible with peaceful fish such as:
Clownfish
Wrasses
Blennies
Gobies
Anthias
Other peaceful reef species
Avoid keeping them with aggressive fish, other tangs (especially similar species), or slow-moving or small fish that may be bullied.
Maintenance: Keeping a Pacific Blue Tang healthy requires maintaining high water quality through regular water changes (10-20% every two weeks) and efficient filtration. The tank should be equipped with a protein skimmer to help remove organic waste and keep nitrates low.
Additional Considerations:
Health Issues: Like other tangs, the Pacific Blue Tang is susceptible to marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans), a parasitic disease that can affect its health if water conditions deteriorate. Regular quarantine procedures for new arrivals and maintaining good water quality can help prevent the spread of diseases. Additionally, they can be prone to stress if kept in small, overcrowded tanks.
Size and Space: This fish is an active swimmer, and it can be quite a challenge to accommodate its size and energy in a smaller tank. In a cramped tank, they may become stressed, which can lead to aggressive behavior or poor health. It's essential to provide a large enough tank with plenty of space for the Pacific Blue Tang to thrive.
Aggression with Other Tangs: The Pacific Blue Tang can be somewhat aggressive towards other tang species, particularly those of similar body shape. To prevent conflicts, it’s a good idea to either keep them alone or ensure the tank is large enough (200 gallons or more) to provide each fish with its own territory.