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Paracanthurus hepatus
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Paracanthurus hepatus

Common Names: Blue Surgeonfish
Blue Tang
Hepatus Tang
Hippo Tang
Pacific Blue Tang
Palette Surgeonfish
Regal Tang
Synonyms: Teuthis hepatus
Family: Acanthuridae
Category: Acanthuroids
Distribution: Indo Pacific; Indo Pacific
Main Ecosystem: Reef; Reef
Temperament: Active; Generally peaceful, but often aggressive toward new inhabitants once established.
Diet: Ominvore; Diet is primarily herbivorous; the tang spends most of its time grazing and receives its primary nutrition from algae. In the home aquarium, will heartily accept meaty fares such as mysis, brine, and cyclops. Supplemental feedings from an algae clip are highly advised. Due to its grazing nature, this fish will also consume detrius as a part of its diet.
Care: Feeds on algae and other vegetable matter. Pacific Blue Tang requires a 125 gallon or larger aquarium with a number of hiding places and plenty of room to swim. It is tolerant of other tangs, but can occasionally be aggressive towards other Acanthurus species. It is more susceptible to head and lateral line erosion, fin erosion, ich and other skin parasites than many other fish. While not common, Paracanthurus hepatus will occasionally be collected with flukes.
pH:
8.1 - 8.4
Temperature:
22°C - 26°C
72°F - 79°F
Specific Gravity:
1.02 - 1.025
Potential Size: Male: 30.5cm (12")
Female: 30.5cm (12")
Water Region: All; All
Activity: Diurnal; Diurnal
Gender:
Breeding: Egg scatterer.
Variants:
Comments: This species has a scalpel-like, razor-sharp spines on their sides near the base of the tail.
Main Colours: Blue, Black, Yellow
Markings: No Markings
Mouth: Normal
Tail: Flat
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Image Credit: dthurs
Submitted By: dthurs
Contributors: sirbooks, greenmonkey51, Chibils
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