{"product_id":"blue-tang-jumbo","title":"Blue Tang Jumbo | Paracanthurus hepatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Tang (Regal or Hippo Tang) is one of the most recognisable reef fish in the world, with an electric royal-blue body, a bold black \"palette\" marking and a bright yellow tail. This is the Jumbo, a large adult specimen, so plan for a big fish that needs a spacious, established aquarium with plenty of open swimming room.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Blue Tang is associated with clear coral-rich reefs and reef slopes of the Indo-Pacific, where it lives around branching corals in loose groups and darts into the coral for shelter when threatened. It grazes algae and picks plankton from the water column. Replicating this environment means providing open swimming space, mature live rock with branching structure for retreat, algae for grazing and strong, well-oxygenated flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Tang has a deep royal-blue body, a black palette-shaped marking along the upper flank, and a vivid yellow tail. Colour can shift and darken with mood and at night. It reaches around 30 cm, so a jumbo specimen represents a large, long-term commitment. Like all surgeonfish it carries a sharp scalpel near the tail base. Healthy specimens are alert, swimming actively and well-filled through the body, without pinched bellies, cloudy eyes or rapid breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as generally peaceful, but it can be territorial towards other Blue Tangs and similar-shaped fish. In a large aquarium it mixes well with a wide range of species. Suitable companions include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other reef fish. Keep only one Blue Tang unless the system is very large and they are introduced together. Add it to a settled aquarium with good water quality and generous swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be varied, with a strong herbivorous base. Offer dried marine algae and nori on a clip, algae-based flakes and pellets, and prepared herbivore foods, plus some meaty foods such as mysis and enriched brine shrimp for balance. Several small feeds through the day suit its grazing nature. A well-fed Blue Tang holds better colour and body condition and copes better with stress and disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 680 L, with larger systems recommended for a jumbo adult. A long tank with open swimming lanes and branching rock for retreat suits it well. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Strong, well-oxygenated flow is important. Lighting can be standard reef lighting. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended. Blue Tangs are especially prone to white spot, so stable water quality and a quarantine routine are strongly advised. This species is considered reef safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved and should not be expected. Blue Tangs are open-water group spawners with drifting planktonic larvae requiring specialised conditions far beyond normal home aquarium keeping; captive breeding has only been accomplished in dedicated commercial facilities. For hobbyists, the focus should be on long-term health, correct feeding, excellent water quality and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParacanthurus hepatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Tang (Regal \/ Hippo Tang) — Jumbo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coral-rich reefs and slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOften 10–20 years with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally peaceful (territorial to other Blue Tangs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e680 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger for a jumbo adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore\/omnivore; marine algae, nori and some meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, established reef and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, wrasses, angels, rabbitfish, chromis and other reef fish, in a large aquarium with generous swimming room and branching rock for retreat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other Blue Tangs except in very large systems, highly aggressive fish that will harass it, and avoid adding it to small or newly set-up tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234140176675,"sku":null,"price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234140209443,"sku":"BA8972","price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234140242211,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351941497123,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Tang_Jumbo_Paracanthurus_hepatus_4ce67408-fa20-40bf-aef0-8a647027f1e1.jpg?v=1781681466","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-tang-jumbo","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}