scientific name: (Paracanthurus hepatus)

Color: dark blue, black dorsal fin, yellow, with a black painter pallete in center of body

Diet: Herbivore

Tempermant: peaceful caution should be taken when mixed with more than one tang

Reef Compatible: Yes

The blue tang is recognized by its very dark rich blue body and is very popular becuase of the black painter pallete in the center, this species is the same fish who was in the movie "Finding Nemo" as Dorie. This fish needs plenty of swimming space with a 75 gallon large tank grazes on algae during the day, this fish has been knonw for catching ich more easily than the other tangs while tangs have been known for catching ich. This fish needs to be fed supplemented algea such as algea sheets to enhance color, and boost immune system. but still should be fed a varied diet consisting of frozen thoughed spirilina brine shrimp, plankton. flake food is not suggested unless it is part of the varied diet

This fish is commpatible with reef tanks and does not pick at any corals, needs plenty of rockwork to ease stress when feels threaten. This is one of my personal favorite fish. It is usually tolerant of other fish and Tangs but care should be done when mixing with other tangs. The blue tang will add a nice dark vibrant blue that should show off your tank would recommend running atinics 03 to really make is blue body glow. This fish is sure to add some character to your tank as he scowers the tank and plays with the other fish

Here is a picture of mine that is a couple months old

I'm kinda confused now does it have two names? I used to think that was called a surgeon fish...

They can be called Tangs "OR" Surgeon fish ;)

Also there are two varieties of Blue Tangs...the normal blue Pacific and there is one from the US i think with a yellow base. Usually a few dollars more expensive.

That is true there are in fact even more names for this fish they are Hippo Tang, Blue Tang, Palette Tang, Hepatus Tang, Regal Tang. The reason they are called surgeon fish also is becuase if you look at to were the body meets caudal fin. you would find what appears to be something protruding out of the fish, that would be a piece of cartlige that is razor sharp and it hurts if you get it with it these fish for defence will sordough swing themselves at another fish and swipe there surgeon on the other fish which will hurt the other fish which in turn will make you leave them alone. If you look near the caudal fin on this fish it will look like a whit dot if you have trouble spotting it tell me and I will circle it. but this is why they are also called surgeonfish because they will cut other fish just the same as a surgeon would cut somebody durring surgery.

Very nice yellow tang! jay