Blue tang size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 22 cm. The largest on record measured 31 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 45 Acanthuridae species on LumaReef: 12.2 cm (Blueline Surgeonfish) to 100 cm (Whitemargin Unicornfish).

Blue tang tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 250 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Showcase tank or larger.

Blue tang water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Acanthuridae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).

Blue tang tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 72 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Foxface rabbitfish, Threadfin butterflyfish, and Engineer goby.

Blue tang depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 2 to 40 m down. Close to most Acanthuridae on LumaReef (1–46 m).

ReefIn the market480 coinsUncommon

Blue tang

Paracanthurus hepatus

Cobalt blue, black palette marking, yellow tail. The largest here.

The Blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) is a tropical marine fish of the family Acanthuridae. It lives on and around reefs, between 2 and 40 m deep. Adults grow to about 22 cm; the largest on record measured 31 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 250 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 22 cm
Smallest tank: 250 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Demanding

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Busy
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Reef safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litresToo small
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres40 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres48 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along72 species

and 48 more species

Caution17 species

Crowding the same layer

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

Not together10 species

Aggressive with peaceful

These two do not get along

Yellow tang

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 31 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

2 m40 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilyAcanthuridae
GenusParacanthurus
SpeciesParacanthurus hepatus

In other languages

English: Palette Tang
German: Paletten-Doktorfisch
Spanish: Pez cirujano azul
French: Chirurgien-palette
Italian: pesce chirurgo tavolozza
Dutch: Picassodoktersvis
Russian: Голубой хирург
Japanese: ナンヨウハギ
Chinese: 擬刺尾鯛 (藍倒吊黃尾副刺尾魚)

Quick answers

Blue tang size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 22 cm. The largest on record measured 31 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 45 Acanthuridae species on LumaReef: 12.2 cm (Blueline Surgeonfish) to 100 cm (Whitemargin Unicornfish).
Blue tang tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 250 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Showcase tank or larger.
Blue tang water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Acanthuridae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).
Blue tang tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 72 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Foxface rabbitfish, Threadfin butterflyfish, and Engineer goby.
Blue tang: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Blue tang and corals: is it reef safe?: Yes, it leaves corals alone.
Blue tang depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 2 to 40 m down. Close to most Acanthuridae on LumaReef (1–46 m).