Blue Tang - FOTM Feb.'07

Discussion in 'Fish of the Month' started by Breed, Feb 2, 2007.

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  1. Breed

    Breed Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2006
    Messages:
    249
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Fish Common Names

    Blue Tang, Palette Surgeonfish, Hepatus Tang, Blue Surgeonfish, and Regal Tang

    Latin Name

    Paracanthurus hepatus

    [​IMG]

    Photo Courtesy of Mamachipy

    Reef Safe: Yes

    Attitude: Peacful, A good community fish.

    Diet: Herbivore feeding on algae and marine based seaweed, however will also consume meaty foods like brine and mysis shrimps.

    Care: Grows up to 12" and needs a fairly long and large tank of around 80 gallons to sustain its constant grazing and movement. Is normally a good eater and will recognise the hand that feeds it. As with all tangs, the blue tang must be fed marine algae and seaweed to boost its immune system and to prevent it from suffering the effects of head and latteral line disease or hole-in-the-head. They are also susceptable to ich and should be quarantined before placed into the main tank.

    Origin: Indo-Pacific, Solomon Islands and Fiji

    Personal Observations: Blue tangs get on well with most other fish (with the exception of predators and other tangs) are are a great canditate for the community aquarium. They will add great blue colour through the tank and are always constantly grazing on algae in the aquarium. Is a good feeder and will take all forms of food and feeds well on Nori and similar seaweeds offered of a veggie clip. A very eye catching species that will catch the eye of any wanderer.

    Feeding: Offer marine based seaweed on a veggie clip or rock 2-3 times a week, and will also constantly graze on algae present on the rocks and glass of the aquarium. Mysis and Brine shrimp can also be offered to the blue tang to increase growth and strengthen its immunity against diseases.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2007
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  3. Birchell

    Birchell Gigas Clam

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2006
    Messages:
    894
    Location:
    New Mexico
    GREAT JOB!!! Great info on a beautiful fish and have fun with all the new karma, :lol: .

    Michael
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2007
  4. mamachipy

    mamachipy Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2006
    Messages:
    69
    Location:
    Bakersfield, CA
    Looks familiar, I've had mine for three years now. It started at 2" and now is 7"-8". The kids call he Dory (go figure).
     

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  5. bouraganes

    bouraganes Peppermint Shrimp

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2005
    Messages:
    441
  6. rosereef

    rosereef Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2006
    Messages:
    45
    Like I would think most tangs are, mine is a bit camera shy, but I managed to catch a pic of it =)
    My 2" Regal tang.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Birchell

    Birchell Gigas Clam

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2006
    Messages:
    894
    Location:
    New Mexico
    Mamachipy, thanks for showing that tang in the 100 gallon tank!! I was chooed out for wanting to put a hippo in a 100 on Reef Central. It made me mad, they made it sound that I could only put a yellow or mybe a kole, which is only 2-4 inches shorter. I know tangs like to swim, but they will adapt to a tank if they grow up in it. Then one guy said to put a sailfin, which gets like 4 times as big as the hippo, :lol: . Oh well, I got my majestic angel, and they can just live with it. I hate tangs just for the reason that everyone has something to say about them, and youll never have a big enough tank :lol: .

    Michael
     
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  9. Fish Fan

    Fish Fan Fire Worm

    Joined:
    May 11, 2006
    Messages:
    155
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    I have had my blue tang for almost 5 yrs now. I used to have two of them but I cme home from work one afternoon and one of them was going postal on the other one. With the help of my wife we got the psycotic tang out of the tank (no small feat, 125gal with 55lbs live rock). I also have a yellow and he and the blue seem to pal around.
     
  10. Bruce

    Bruce Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2004
    Messages:
    3,531
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Ah, I am a big fan of Regal Tangs. When I was first starting I got one...yes...the 55 gallon, wouldnt make that same mistake. It was doing great untill the ich started...he battled it for months then finally died. Poor little bugger.
     
  11. reef713

    reef713 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2012
    Messages:
    76
    Location:
    Locust Grove, VA
    I also have had a blue tang for about a month now and he mostly stays hidden in some of the nooks in my rocks. Is this normal. He does come out and feed well, but anytime me or my kids walk up to the tank he scatters.
     
  12. Scuba Ken

    Scuba Ken Ritteri Anemone

    Joined:
    May 7, 2011
    Messages:
    646
    Location:
    Fort Mcmurray, Alberta, canada
    They will squeeze in anywhere for a "snooze" my tang is Houdini when it comes to getting into places