African Yellow Belly Blue Tang
African Blue Tang: The Iconic Reef Swimmer The African Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus), perhaps better known as the Blue Tang, Palette Surgeonfish, or Dory, is one of the most popular and recognizable marine aquarium fish in the world. This vibrant surgeonfish is admired for its striking, deep blue body, black palette-shaped markings, and yellow tail. A healthy African Blue Tang is a fast, active swimmer, making it a spectacular focal point for a large marine display tank. Native to the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region (not actually Africa, despite the specified name), this tang typically reaches a size of 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) in captivity, though it can grow larger in the wild. Due to its active nature and eventual size, a minimum aquarium size of 180 gallons is highly recommended to provide adequate swimming space. These fish are prone to stress and diseases like marine ich if housed in cramped or unstable conditions. The African Blue Tang is generally peaceful towards m