Blue Tang (Paracanthurus Hepatus)
Key Facts
Also Known As: Regal Tang, Hippo Tang, Blue Hippo Tang, Palette Surgeonfish, “Dory”
Compatibility, Behavior, and Environment: The Blue Tang is reef-safe, allowing it to be compatible with a variety of aquariums. It does well in groups of other Blue Tangs (especially when introduced simultaneously), and will even school if you have enough of them. It may be aggressive towards smaller Tangs if it is already established and has grown to a decent size, but overall is one of the more peaceful Tang species. Note that the Blue Tang comes in a wide range of sizes, so be sure to pick a size that is compatible with your system. The 1-1.4” size is super cute, but is definitely TINY and only compatible with peaceful and small tanks. Crucially, if housing your Blue Tang in a tank with other Tangs/aggressive fish, ensure that it is of equal or bigger size than its existing tankmates.
Like most Tangs, the Blue Tang diet primarily consists of algae and seaweed, supplemented with mixed meaty foods such as mysis shrimp. If your Blue Tang arrives on its side, do not be alarmed as this is normal arrival behavior for this species. Ensuring that it has hiding places and that there are no other fish to chase/bully it will help it destress more quickly. Quarantine is recommended for this species which can be more prone to underlying issues such as ich.
Aquarium Requirements: Recommended tank size will be dependent on the size of the Blue Tang you order, but plan for at least 50 gallons for a tiny to small Blue Tang, 100 gallons for 2-3” Tangs, and 180+ gallons for 3”+ Tangs. The tank layout should include plenty of rockwork and a consistent source of algae and seaweed for grazing. Proper tank management should focus on stable water conditions to prevent stress and underlying diseases like ich to present itself (unless you do a full quarantine).
Specifications:
Approximate Size: As Listed
Diet: Herbivore, with a strong preference for various types of algae. Supplemental feeding with high-quality seaweed and mixed meaty foods such as mysis shrimp are crucial as well.
Water Conditions: Prefers a temperature range of 72-78°F, with a pH of 8.0-8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025.
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Moderate
Reef-Safe: Yes
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Pairs well with
Blue Tang (Paracanthurus Hepatus)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.