Hepatus
Paracanthurus hepatus
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Suggested Tank
100+ gallons
Max Size
12 inches
Difficulty
Temperament
Description
The Hepatus, also known as the Blue Tang, is a vibrant, popular saltwater fish known for its bright blue body and yellow tail. It is a member of the surgeonfish family and is recognized for its scalpel-like spine near its tail that it uses for defense.
Reef Safe
Yes, Blue Tangs are reef safe and can be kept in a reef aquarium. However, they may nip at large-polyped stony corals and some soft coral polyps.
Environment
These fish prefer a well-lit tank with plenty of hiding spots. They do best in a tank with a moderate to strong current.
Behavior
Blue Tangs are active swimmers and require plenty of open space. They are generally peaceful but can become territorial, especially towards other tangs and surgeonfish.
Information might not be complete or accurate. Help the community by suggesting corrections.
Owner Reviews
Dalton
@Dalton
Only kept as a baby, but an easy going dude.
Luis
@Aqua_reefer450
Great fish here! Plays dead sometimes lol
Brittney
@MalEficent
My Regal is different. He won’t eat seaweed/nori. He eats algae off the rocks tho. He thinks he’s the boss in the tank right now but he’s still young and doesn’t have much competition. Always swimming and visible. Presented with ich on week 4 from my LFS but got through it with Kick Ich like a pro. Barely ever had more than a few spots but went on and off for several weeks.
Christian
@Christian27484
Don’t understand why this fish is presented as a beginner one. Fish stores always sell them so tiny, and for a fish as finicky as this one, you want a bigger specimen that is more tolerant to stress and diseases. When kept properly it can be a great algae eater and show fish, but not for beginners.
Qwarex
@Qwarex
Blue tang with a twist
Blake
@Blake93520
Overall a great fish and one of those must haves because of Finding Nemo, mine likes to hide if you turn on the basement lights so not sure why that is but overall nice addition and gets along well with other fish
Qwarex
@Qwarex
A classic, very cool and unique pattern and color. Can get big, and territorial. Ich magnets.
Brittany
@Brittany24950
Ours was super peaceful towards other fish and would eat out of my hand!
Katie
@LazyK
Beautiful fish, amazing to watch swim in between your rock work and police the tank (but not in an alarming manor) My experience with blue tangs so far is when fast movements happen near the tank weather it be you walking or cleaning the glass they like to dart into a crevice to hide. Be aware that some blue tangs have a habit of just lying on the sand bed looking dead but don’t worry it’s just them resting or trying to “hide” no need for panic!
For Sale
Price History
| Image | Title | Price | Company | Sold Date | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
Blue Tang
|
$ 88.00 | Live Aquaria | Apr 13, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Tang (Paracanthurus Hepatus)
|
$ 40.00 | Reef Beauties | Apr 12, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 72.00 | SaltwaterFish.com | Apr 11, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Tang
|
$ 90.00 | Live Aquaria | Apr 11, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Tang (Paracanthurus Hepatus)
|
$ 47.00 | Reef Beauties | Apr 5, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 77.00 | SaltwaterFish.com | Apr 4, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Tang
|
$ 88.00 | Live Aquaria | Apr 4, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Tang
|
$ 72.00 | Live Aquaria | Mar 30, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Tang (Paracanthurus Hepatus)
|
$ 51.00 | Reef Beauties | Mar 29, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Tang
|
$ 88.00 | Live Aquaria | Mar 29, 2025 | View |
|
Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang
|
$ 100.00 | Live Aquaria | Mar 26, 2025 | View |
|
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 74.00 | SaltwaterFish.com | Mar 21, 2025 | View |
|
Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang
|
$ 100.00 | Live Aquaria | Mar 18, 2025 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang: Yellow Belly
|
$ 61.00 | SaltwaterFish.com | Mar 14, 2025 | View |
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Yellow Belly Hippo Tang - Kenya
|
$ 110.00 | World Wide Coral | Jan 17, 2025 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang - Philippines
|
$ 125.00 | World Wide Coral | Jan 6, 2025 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 130.00 | Candy Corals | Dec 12, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 130.00 | Candy Corals | Nov 29, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 130.00 | Candy Corals | Nov 6, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang - Philippines
|
$ 125.00 | World Wide Coral | Nov 1, 2024 | View |
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Blue Hippo Tang - Papua New Guinea
|
$ 85.00 | World Wide Coral | Oct 25, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 130.00 | Candy Corals | Oct 9, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang - Philippines
|
$ 113.00 | World Wide Coral | Sep 14, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 97.00 | Candy Corals | Aug 18, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang - Philippines
|
$ 113.00 | World Wide Coral | Aug 13, 2024 | View |
|
Yellow Belly Hippo Tang - Kenya
|
$ 104.00 | World Wide Coral | Aug 11, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 130.00 | Candy Corals | Aug 8, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang - Papua New Guinea
|
$ 80.00 | World Wide Coral | Aug 8, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Tang ~2.5” (Quarantined ! From a customer 1 year old tank – PICK UP ONLY*)
|
$ 159.00 | Fragbox Corals | Jul 12, 2024 | View |
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Blue Hippo Tang - Papua New Guinea
|
$ 59.00 | World Wide Coral | Jun 26, 2024 | View |
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Blue Hippo Tang - Papua New Guinea
|
$ 59.00 | World Wide Coral | Jun 25, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang - Philippines
|
$ 113.00 | World Wide Coral | Jun 24, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 130.00 | Candy Corals | Jun 20, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 130.00 | Candy Corals | May 16, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang - Philippines
|
$ 113.00 | World Wide Coral | May 15, 2024 | View |
|
Blue Hippo Tang
|
$ 130.00 | Candy Corals | May 2, 2024 | View |
|
Yellow Belly Hippo Tang - Kenya
|
$ 104.00 | World Wide Coral | Mar 24, 2024 | View |
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Hepatus
Paracanthurus hepatus
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