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Blue Tang

Paracanthurus hepatus

Blue Tang

Paracanthurus hepatus
Other Common Names
Palette Surgeonfish, Hippo Tang, Blue Surgeonfish
At the Aquarium
Connected Coasts
Other Common Names
Palette Surgeonfish, Hippo Tang, Blue Surgeonfish

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

  • The blue tang is royal blue and canary yellow, and can grow up to 10-12 inches. Juveniles are bright yellow and become more blue as they mature. Adults have a black band curving upward from the eye and spanning across the body towards a yellow caudal fin.
  • Adults become deeper blue and violet as a sign of stress.
  • When in danger, a blue tang will raise a pair of razor-sharp, venomous spines on either side of its tail. They whip their bodies side to side, threatening to stab predators with their toxic stingers.

    • Habitat

  • Clear waters surrounding coral reefs.
  • At depths of 2-40m.

    • Diet

  • Zooplankton and algae
  • Blue tang use their small, sharp teeth to scrape algae off coral reefs

    • Life History

  • This species is a part of the Acanthuridae family which, like many other marine fishes, show a pelagic spawning life history strategy. This means that blue tangs release eggs and sperm into the water, allowing eggs to be fertilized. Eggs float in the current, eventually hatching and growing into juveniles, who then settle onto the reef and grow into adults.
  • The blue tang can live more than 30 years in the wild. Under human care, they often live up to 20 years.

    • IUCN Status

    Least Concern

    Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

  • The algae-cleaning behavior of fish like the blue tang keeps algae in check. Overgrown algae on reefs can suffocate and kill the coral, negatively impacting the whole food chain.
  • Blue tangs are prey for secondary consumers like tuna, grouper, and barracuda.
    • Range
    East Africa to Micronesia, Line Islands and Samoa Islands, northwards to Kochi Prefecture, southwards to New South Wales, Australia.
    On the Oregon Coast
    Fun Facts
  • The fish Dory from the Pixar movie Finding Nemo is a blue tang.
  • People who eat blue tangs have been known to develop a foodborne illness called ciguatera poisoning. Blue tangs occasionally eat large quantities of creatures called dinoflagellates, causing toxins to build up in their bodies and ultimately impacting their consumers.

    • Citations & Other Resources

  • McIlwain, J., J.H. Choat, R. Abesamis, K.D. Clements, R. Myers, C. Nanola, L.A. Rocha, B. Russell & B. Stockwell. 2012. Paracanthurus hepatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012.
  • Myers, R. F. 1989. Micronesian reef fishes: a practical guide to the identification of the coral reef fishes of the tropical central and western Pacific. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Territory of Guam, U.S.A.
  • National Geographic. 2020, February 28. Blue tang, facts and photos. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/blue-tang.
  • Sowaske, G., C. A. Murray, S. W. Hutchins, T. N. Lipscomb, and M. A. DiMaggio. 2023. Evaluation of larviculture protocols for the Pacific blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus). Aquaculture 565:739116.
  • Brown, M.E. and P.J. Schofield. 2024. Paracanthurus hepatus Linnaeus, 1766: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=3339
    • Back to All Animals

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    About Oregon Coast Aquarium

    Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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