All About Blue Tangs Baby Blue Tang Baby Fish

There are actually iii dissimilar, popular saltwater fish species that share the common proper noun, blue tang. The Pulverisation blue tang, the Atlantic bluish tang are cute fish, only the most famous and popular of the 3 is the Royal blue tang, Paracanthus hepatus, made popular past the Pixar movies Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.

Truth be told, this fish was amazing earlier the movies and is one of the most beautiful species you lot'll run into. But let's explore what it takes to care for these frail fish in your own reef tank. Then grab P. Sherman, and let'due south start swimming.

Table of Contents: Blueish Hippo Tang

Who doesn't love colorful aquarium fish? And the diverse types of tangs offer some of the best options out there. If you've ever wanted one of these gorgeous members of the surgeonfish family, we'll dive into the all-time way to care for the blueish hippo tang in a reef tank. The links below will aid you navigate through the ins and outs of this challenging species. (No need for fluency in whale)

• Quick Facts
• Other Names for the Bluish Tang
• Blueish Tang Care
  • Quarantine
  • Hiding
  • Playing Expressionless
  • Are Bluish Hippos Reef-Safe?
  • Bluish Tang Compatibility
  • Feeding
  • Diseases and Infections
• For More Information
• Conclusion

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Paracanthurus hepatus
• Common Names: Bluish hippo tang, Regal tang, Pacific bluish tang, Hepatus tang, Flagtail, Palette surgeonfish
• Size of Fish: 12-inches (30.5cm) every bit an adult
• Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons (380L) ++ (some say 180 gallon/680L!)
• Reef-Safe? Yes
• Intendance Level: Moderate
• Nutrition: Herbivorous; Needs algae in the diet to stay healthy
• Aggression: Semi-aggressive
• Aquacultured: Has been raised from eggs, but non broadly commercially available

What is the ideal tank size for a Bluish tang?

The Blue Tang, Paracanthurus hepatus, should be kept in a tank volume of at to the lowest degree 100 gallons (378.five liters). A tank of this size is likely 6-feet long, which provides the 12-inch long adult fish enough room to swim naturally and fodder on the aquarium rocks and glass for algae films.

Other Names for the Blueish Hippo Tang

Shakespeare gets the credit for the saying, "A rose by any other name would aroma merely equally sweet." I'm not certain blue hippo tangs smell whatsoever differently depending on where you discover them, but they DO go by unlike names. You lot'll detect them listed as regal tangs, palette surgeonfish, Pacific blue tangs, hepatus tangs, flagtail surgeonfish, Pacific regal bluish tangs (that's i of the longest in the agglomeration), and even more possibilities. The Latin name Paracanthurus hepatus is the simply 1 a taxonomist would pick out of the mix, though.

And as if that jumble weren't enough, at that place's a wrinkle in the mix. You tin find ANOTHER blue tang out at that place. Acanthurus coeruleus goes by blue tang on occasion. It isn't (quite) related, though – other than existence part of the tang grouping. And the two don't look the aforementioned. Just goes to testify you Shakespeare got it right: there's MUCH more than to a name.

Blueish Tang Care Guide

When information technology comes to caring for blueish hippo tangs, it'south essential to do your research Showtime. These vibrant members of the surgeonfish family aren't for anybody. And while pop, they oft bear witness likewise much to handle for novice aquarists.

They pop upward in fish stores equally tiny, 1-inch (2.5cm) juvenile fish. To an unsuspecting saltwater fish tank owner whose children recently watched Finding Nemo or Finding Dory, the tang looks like a fish asset and seems manageable enough. They make the purchase and plop the blue and xanthous tang into a starter tank, not realizing the potential problem down the road. Blueish hippo tangs tin abound up to 12-inches (thirty.5cm) in length as adults. They need room for that eventual size. Plus space to swim. That translates into a tank of At To the lowest degree 100 gallons (380L), though some hobbyists argue you shouldn't get smaller than 180 gallons (680L).

As if a large adult size weren't enough, blue hippo tangs – unlike well-nigh captive tangs – are shoaling, agile swimmers. In the wild, you see them zipping around the reef, nipping algae from the rocks. They form schools they're happy to maintain when they enter a dwelling aquarium. (Disney and Pixar got that right) While most surgeonfish grow also aggressive to share infinite in a confined environment, blue hippo tangs enjoy each other'south company. And that means providing room for Everyone. It's tough to recreate that amount of space in the home aquarium.

Add all of those needs together, and y'all're looking at a staggering tank size. This is why many passionate tang lovers advocate for tanks over 180 gallons (680L). And that makes caring for this amazing species unapproachable for the boilerplate saltwater fish tank owner. If yous're an experienced aquarist, you could attempt to intendance for them in a smaller aquarium. But many people take strong opinions that you're going likewise small-scale for the health and safety of your tangs.

Provided with appropriate infinite to swim and explore, blue hippo tangs exhibit model behavior. Again, they're social butterflies (in the surgeonfish world). And every bit long as you lot don't accept other tangs in your tank, you'll notice your tang mild-mannered. However, they Tin turn skittish. Some blue hippos even up afraid of their own shadows. That'due south where appropriate decor comes in. Simply before we can address that, we need to get your blueish hippo tang safely INTO the aquarium. And that's a challenge in and of itself.

Quarantine: essential step to blue tang intendance

As with any member of the surgeonfish family, blue hippo tangs possess a caudal spine. It lies on either side of the caudal peduncle (hence, why it's called a caudal spine). The spine works for defense AND offense in the wild. It protects the fish from predators, and they employ it to battle one another for territory. Simply it can besides cause problems when you're working with your new arrivals. If y'all attempt to employ a net with tangs, that spine can cease upwardly tangled within the weave. It's better to employ a plastic container.

Bluish hippos should ALWAYS spend a minimum of two weeks in quarantine. While considered relatively disease-resistant when they're acclimated and introduced to your display tank, they Exercise tend to bring a few common diseases with them. You lot don't desire an outbreak of marine ich in your tank. Now, I recommend yous quarantine everything before yous add information technology to your tank. That's just practical. Just the practice goes double when you accept any species of tang. Nosotros'll go over their diseases in a infinitesimal. For now, pop your lovely blue and yellowish tang in quarantine.

Once you're sure the fish looks clear of (evident) affliction. You lot can use that plastic container for transfer. It's less stressful than a net. And yous're less likely to cause whatever damage – to you, the net, or your blueish hippo.

Hiding: how your Blueish tang may conduct

Blueish hippo tangs look bold with that cobalt and xanthous color pattern. (And, let's face it, Dory set some precedence with her out-going personality) But they really rank at the superlative of the shy spectrum for tangs. You tend to see them retiring to the groundwork a flake. And they're non big on confrontation. Quite the opposite, actually. If something startles them, the kickoff impulse is to head for the hills. Rather, it'southward to head to the coral.

A frightened tang will hide behind or wedge itself into rockwork. Every bit such, you need to provide live rock with crevices and caves that offer a handy retreat. But you lot also want to make sure your coral frags are firmly glued on. This will prevent any injuries or accidents equally they bolt for encompass. (Bluish hippos don't announce they're nigh to topple a frag) And having somewhere "condom" will subtract the stress the fish experiences. Lower stress levels equate to higher health.

When acclimating your new fish to your tank, consider dampening your lights and avoiding rapid, imposing motions in front of the tank. This will help y'all avoid sending your new blueish hippo fleeing deep into the aquascape. You'll also want to keep SOME kind of hiding space available. Afterward all, while the tang's in quarantine, YOU'RE the biggest threat they're likely to encounter.

Playing dead: how a Imperial Blue tang may react to stress in an aquarium

Yes, it sounds crazy (or similar it belongs to one of the Pixar movies). But blue tangs engage in a predator-avoidance behavior that involves playing expressionless. They become limp, resulting in a horizontal posture. The fish stays completely still until the predator moves on. And in a mixed aquarium – particularly when the blue hippo can't reach a hiding place – you might see the beliefs. This, of form, tin can produce panic every bit y'all wonder if your blueish hippo tang (which you took such pains to care for) is Actually dead. Watch for connected movement.

I've withal to come across a blue hippo tang play dead. But I've decided I MUST see it before I die. (I but added information technology to my saucepan list)

Are Blueish tangs Reef-Safe?

Blueish tangs are reef safe saltwater fish. They will mostly live peacefully with corals, shrimp, clams, crabs and other reef invertebrates.

Dory and Marlin traveled all over the Pacific, experiencing enough of different environments. Just you see them calling a reef Home Sugariness Home. And you lot're probably anticipating setting upward your new surgeonfish addition in a reef tank. (Those colors expect smashing confronting such a properties) At present yous just need to make sure you're non inviting disaster. Luckily for you, the blue hippo tang is a reef-safe saltwater aquarium fish.

With their herbivorous diet, the tangs actually PROMOTE the wellness and well-being of your corals. They feed on algae, trimming away any of the pesky growth that might attempt to compete with your corals. And they do so without harming a single polyp in the process. They'll likewise leave your clams, shrimp, and crabs alone. So y'all can add them into almost any tank surroundings without a problem. (We'll go into the exceptions in a 2d)

Blue Tang Compatibility

The blue hippo tang is generally peaceful toward other saltwater fish. Withal, they are territorial like whatsoever member of the tang grouping. So your best bet is to keep them as a unmarried tang specimen or school. By nature, blue hippos ARE shoaling fish. So it's possible to have a schoolhouse in a tank – with a few hundred gallons (thousand liters) of pond volume. For this humble hobbyist, I'll endeavor to send my children to college before I take on that expense (I suspect it comes out pretty close to a launder there).

Your best bet for a schoolhouse is introducing all of the fish at the same fourth dimension. It prevents squabbles over territory. (Since everyone enters the pool at the same time, no one gets to hog the diving board) Of course, yous're not going to go around the space result. If yous don't supply plenty room for your tangs, there's a good take a chance they volition fight until one of them is expressionless. I've seen it happen in a local fish store between two xanthous tangs (besides fantastic fish).

Otherwise, you can pair up blue hippo tangs with nigh whatsoever other not-tang species you can think of. That shy streak makes them peaceful tank mates. Tiny fish like gobies go correct under their radar. And big guys that won't hassle them (such as groupers) work well, also.

You don't desire to go with anything aggressive, though, or they'll end up getting picked on. (Aye, fish get teased for having freckles, as well) And then watch out for the bigger angelfish out there, dottybacks, and triggerfish.

And, of course, if you desire to replicate your favorite Pixar film, blue hippos don't have a problem sharing an aquarium with clownfish.

What are the best Blue Tang Tank mates?

The Blue Tang tin be safely kept with many of the about pop community saltwater fish, including most clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, and dwarf angelfish. Advanced aquarium owners have also successfully kept Paracanthurus hepatus with other Tang and Surgeonfish species every bit tank mates, past acclimating the tangs to very large aquarium systems at the same time.

Feeding Blue Tangs

Bluish hippo tangs are herbivores. That means they need plant and fauna matter in their diet. (No, y'all didn't read that wrong) Every fish, regardless of diet, needs a little protein to remain good for you. And these tangs usually go their protein source from the plankton. And then they bulk the residue of their diet out with macroalgae they graze from the rocks and algae. And if you lot're going to go along your bluish hippo round and full, you need to brand sure you have plenty space to provide all of that nutrient.

(Hint, this is why it'southward recommended that you take a tank of at to the lowest degree 180 gallons/680L)

Algae grow on available surfaces within a saltwater aquarium. So it'due south best if you have plenty of live stone for your tang to graze on. Odds are y'all won't see enough algae to supply the dietary needs of fifty-fifty ONE blueish hippo tang, though. And so having a refugium handy to grow out additional supplies is a good thought. You should also add in regular feedings of nori or other seaweed for best health. A veggie prune added around the tank will do the fox. In add-on to nori, I feed my tangs spirulina flakes.

You also demand to keep that meaty protein side in listen. If you don't, yous'll start noticing wellness problems in your tang. Vitamin deficiencies pb to mutual issues, such as hole in the head disease. (Nosotros'll go into this more in a moment) To avoid this, you want to add a fiddling meaty treat to your tank now and then. Enriched brine or mysis shrimp work nicely (and bluish hippo tangs enjoy them). If you gut-load with dark-green water algae, you'll heave the nutrition of the tiny crustaceans before your tangs eat them.

Diseases and Infections common to Blue Tangs

Unfortunately, while blue hippo tangs are wildly popular, they're also prone to trouble with infections and affliction in a reef tank. If y'all're not staying on superlative of their dietary needs, the water quality in your aquarium, and the stress levels of your fish, y'all could detect yourself with problems. A proper quarantine, high-quality products in the diet, and attention to the well-being of your tang will get a long way to preventing these problems from showing up.

Saltwater ich (elevation left), Head and Lateral Line Erosion-HLLE (top right), and Starvation (bottom)

Tangs, in general, are prone to protozoan diseases such as velvet and marine ich. (This is why that ii-week quarantine is and then critical) Immunity, stress, and exposure to the parasites influence whether or not they succumb to these protozoan infections. Diet is too thought to exist a factor affecting their immune arrangement. So many aquarists (and sites like LiveAquaria) recommend adequate feedings of seaweed diets. A happy, well-fed blue hippo tang is more likely to fight off the protozoan. A stressed, starving tang? Not then much.

I've also seen some pretty terrible Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE) cases in these fish. This is generally idea to be an environmental illness. This means the conditions of the water/aquarium (and a compromised allowed organisation) cause the issue. Improper dietary health (again) besides contributes. HLLE has also been associated with activated carbon use. "Fines" (small charcoal dust) can irritate their peel and lateral lines. If you see wounds on the head or side of your blue hippo, yous need to investigate your tank for problems.

You do Not want to encounter your blueish hippo tang reach the state of the prototype to a higher place. This poor sick fella was at a business organization in New Jersey. (Yes, that really is a blue hippo. When they reach a betoken of extreme illness, they plow white) Please don't permit this happen to your tang – or any fish, for that matter. If you starting time to see annihilation like this in your fish, please ask someone for help.

For More Information

Blue hippo tangs enchanted people well earlierFinding Nemo hit the large screen. The flick (and its sequel) just fanned the flames of their popularity. Unhappily, the blitz to bring 1 of these gems domicile generated a lot of ill and uncomfortable fish as people failed to sympathise their care needs.

If yous have an extra few minutes, check out this YouTube video for more information well-nigh how to care for a bluish hippo tang:

If you lot are trying to option the perfect tang for your tank, I recommend you check out a few of these other great and popular surgeonfish:

• Precious stone tang
• Kole tang
• Pulverisation dark-brown tang

Or perhaps you're looking for some other fish with vivid blue and yellow colors? You might want to check out the Yellowtail damselfish.

Looking for something completely different? How about the Lawnmower blenny?

New to the hobby? Check out: How to set a saltwater aquarium.

Finding Nemo fish (the existent species)

In that location's a good chance that if y'all're looking into the blue tang, yous probably are a fan of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. If you're looking to acquire more almost Nemo and Dory's friends, you may want to check out:

• Ocellaris clownfish (Nemo, Marlin)
• Moorish Idol (Gil)
• Cleaner shrimp (Jaques)
• Purple Grama (Gurgle)
• Yellow tang (Bubbles)
• Starfish (Peach)
• Pufferfish (Bloat)
• Three-stripe damselfish (Deb/Flo)

Conclusion

The blue hippo tang is a fantastic fish. Information technology's practically a movie star, courtesy of Dory (and, you know, Disney and Pixar). And as long as you do your homework and some grooming, it isn't that hard to care for. They crave algae-based diets and clean water, simply so practise plenty of other popular reef fish. The biggest challenge is their size and the need for lots of room to swim. Exercise you accept a tank big enough to go on this beauty? And are y'all prepared for every kid in the neighborhood to come up over to say "how-do-you-do" to Dory?

Hopefully, nosotros volition see advances in the convict rearing of this amazing fish, which volition usher in an entirely new level of hardiness and availability.

Delight pivot and share the image below on Pinterest.

References

DiMaggio, M.A., Cassiano, East.J., Barden, K.P., Ramee, South.Due west., Ohs, C.L. and Watson, C.A. (2017), First Record of Captive Larval Culture and Metamorphosis of the Pacific Blue Tang, Paracanthurus hepatus. J Earth Aquacult Soc, 48: 393-401.

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Source: https://www.saltwateraquariumblog.com/blue-hippo-tang-care-guide/

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