Expert
Whitecheek Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricans)
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 500L
£96.99
Juvenile Palette Surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus) is the 4-5.9cm Blue Tang size for mature 600-700L+ marine aquariums. Expert care only, with open swimming room, algae-rich feeding and stable reef water. Sent by licensed live-animal courier with Live Arrival Guarantee.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Paracanthurus hepatus
Juvenile Palette Surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus) is the 4-5.9cm Blue Tang size for mature 600-700L+ marine aquariums. Expert care only, with open swimming room, algae-rich feeding and stable reef water. Sent by licensed live-animal courier with Live Arrival Guarantee.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The Palette Surgeonfish, Paracanthurus hepatus, is the famous Blue Tang or Regal Tang: a vivid blue and yellow surgeonfish for large, mature marine aquariums. This Shopify parent covers the juvenile 4-5.9 cm, medium 6-9 cm and large >9 cm size variants. It is an active open-water tang, not a starter saltwater fish, and should be planned for a spacious reef or fish-only marine system with excellent water quality.
| Scientific name | Paracanthurus hepatus |
|---|---|
| Common names | Palette Surgeonfish, Blue Tang, Regal Tang, Hippo Tang |
| Adult size | About 30 cm |
| Care level | Expert marine care |
| Minimum aquarium | 600-700 litres or larger, mature and highly stable |
| Temperature | 24-27 C |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Diet | Marine algae, seaweed/nori, spirulina, herbivore pellets and varied frozen marine foods |
| Temperament | Generally peaceful, but can be territorial with similar tangs |
Palette Surgeonfish are reef-associated Indo-Pacific fish that need open swimming room, high oxygen, strong filtration and stable marine water. Provide rockwork for shelter, but keep long swimming lanes clear. They are usually reef safe with corals, yet their adult size and constant movement make tank volume and maturity more important than their small purchase size.
Feed several small meals built around marine algae and seaweed, with spirulina and quality marine herbivore foods as staples. Frozen marine foods can add variety, but a tang that is not given enough vegetable matter is more likely to lose condition.
We pack marine livestock carefully and send it by licensed live-animal courier with Live Arrival Guarantee. Acclimate slowly into a mature, temperature-matched marine aquarium and keep lights low while the fish settles.
No. It is best for experienced marine keepers with a large, mature aquarium and stable water quality.
Adults reach around 30 cm, so the long-term aquarium must be much larger than a small juvenile holding tank.
It is generally considered reef safe with corals, but it still needs open swimming room and careful compatibility planning with other tangs.
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 500L
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 450L
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 500L
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 900L
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 800L
22–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 60L
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 150L
24–28°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 300L
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 100L
24–28°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 120L
24–27°C · pH 8.1–8.4 · 100L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L