Blue Tang
Blue Tang is a surgeonfish that is easily recognized by its blue body with black markings. The species has a blade on both sides of the caudal peduncle and venomous fin spines. They occur in clear, current-swept terraces of seaward reefs and can often be seen in loose aggregations one or two meters above the bottom. The most famous Blue Tang fish is Dory from Finding Nemo.
Blog post about the Blue Tang: Blue Tang: Cute Fish Facts
Details & Statistics
Added to Scubadorable
Dec 22, 2006
Scientific Name
Paracanthurus hepatus
Also known as
Palette surgeonfish, Regal Tang, Hippo Tang, Indo-Pacific Tang, Flagtail Surgeonfish, Blue Surgeonfish
Range
West Pacific, Indian Ocean, East China Sea, South China Sea, Oceania, Coral Sea (GBR)
Length
12 inches
Depth
7 to 131 feet
International Names
German (Deutsch) Paletten-Doktorfisch
Danish (Dansk) Paletkirurgfisk
Finnish (Suomi) Palettivälskäri
French (Français) Chirurgien Bleu
Japanese (日本語) Nanyôhagi
Dutch (Nederlands) Picasso Doktersvis
Polish (Polski) Pokolec Królewski
Portuguese (Português) Cirurgião-Patela
Brazilian Portuguese (Português brasileiro) Cirurgião-Patela
Swedish (Svenska) Palettkirurgfisk