{"product_id":"yellow-belly-blue-tang","title":"Yellow Belly Blue Tang | Paracanthurus hepatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Yellow Belly Blue Tang is a striking regional form of the famous regal blue tang, combining the classic royal-blue body and black \"palette\" marking with a bright yellow belly. Active, graceful and full of personality, it is one of the most recognisable reef fish in the hobby. Reaching around 30 cm, it needs a large aquarium with plenty of swimming room, and being ich-prone it rewards careful quarantine and stable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eParacanthurus hepatus is found across the Indo-Pacific on current-swept outer reef slopes, where it feeds on plankton and algae and darts into branching coral for shelter when threatened. In the aquarium it appreciates open swimming space, mature live rock with places to wedge itself, and brisk, well-oxygenated flow that mirrors its natural home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is a deep royal blue with the bold black palette pattern along the flank and a bright yellow tail. In this regional form the lower body and belly are washed with yellow, adding extra colour. Its adult size of around 30 cm should be planned for. Healthy specimens are full-bodied and alert, without the pinched foreheads or bellies that signal poor condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is generally peaceful towards other fish but can be territorial towards its own kind and other tangs, especially in smaller tanks. Juveniles are shy and appreciate cover, while adults become confident, active swimmers. It mixes well in a spacious reef or fish-only community of robust tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough it feeds on plankton in the wild, in the aquarium a herbivore-based diet keeps it healthiest. Offer dried marine algae (nori) on a clip daily along with algae-based foods, and supplement with enriched mysis and brine for variety. Regular vegetable matter helps maintain colour, condition and immune health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of 300 L, with 500 L or larger recommended for long-term health and swimming room. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Provide strong flow, efficient skimming and stable water quality. This species is especially prone to marine ich (white spot), so quarantine before adding it and keep conditions stable and stress low.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding does not occur in the home aquarium. Blue tangs are broadcast spawners with tiny pelagic larvae; while they have been captive-bred commercially in specialised facilities, this is well beyond home-aquarium capability.\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\u003eYellow Belly Blue Tang (Regal\/Hippo Tang)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific outer reef slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful; territorial to other 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\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae\/nori, algae foods, some enriched mysis and brine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°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 reef and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\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, angelfish, rabbitfish, gobies and other peaceful to robust reef fish in a spacious aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other blue tangs or similar-looking tangs in small tanks, and with very aggressive fish that may harass it or stress it into ill health.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234138210595,"sku":"BA9132","price":155.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55304236106019,"sku":"AA3774","price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234138276131,"sku":"AA3774-L","price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55353177768227,"sku":"AA3774-XL","price":190.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562739745059,"sku":"AA3774-S-CB","price":155.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562739777827,"sku":"AA3774-M-CB","price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562739810595,"sku":"AA3774-L-CB","price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562739843363,"sku":"AA3774-XL-CB","price":190.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/yellow-belly-blue-tang-43090657902883.webp?v=1790306154","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/yellow-belly-blue-tang","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}