Paracanthus hepatus {the Blue Tang} {Blue surgeon fish}

Not unlike the butterfly fish in some respects such as body shape and looks but the exception or distinction is the presence of a sharp spine, which has been likened to that of a scalpel used by surgeons and located on either side of the caudal peduncle. This 'scalpel' like projectiion is really a specially adapted fin spine and is used primarily for defence, where with a flick of its tail much damage can be inflicted. It has also been suggested in some literature that the dorsal and anal spines contain a toxic substance.
They are as a rule a peaceful species but in an aquarium may show a propensity to quarrel which I belive is entirely due to space restrictions.
Surgeons or tangs as they are often called generally live in shoals or small groups and even pairs and differences in sex is best left to the fish themselves as it is difficult for the observer to notice any difference. In the natural environment, spawning takes place within the water column the resultant eggs and sperm being left to their own devices.
They are considered by many hobbyists to be difficult to keep but a slightly higher temperature { about 80 degress} with plenty of vegeatble matter in the diet as well as brine shrimp and good quality meaty foods they should be allright.
Many are very colorful, particularly the Regal tang with its brilliant royal blue coloring. Some color changes have been chronicled between juvenile and adult stages so when purchasing try and get young specimens, which I have found settle in to a new environment much better and they are also less inclined to be fixed on a particular type of food.
The Moorish Idol is considered too difficult for the average amateur and the so-called unicorn tangs have a small proturuberance on the forehead which is most apparent on N brevirostrus the Unicorn tang.
They do as I said prefer a slightly higher temperature than is usual and insist on excellent water parameters becoming liable to whitespot if kept otherwise or in too small a tank.

SPECIES IN THIS GROUP INCLUDE:
ACANTHURUS

achilles	Achilles tang	bahanianus	Ocean surgeon
bariene	Black spot surgeon	blochii	Tailring surgeon
chirurgrus	Doctor fish	chronixis	Mimic surgeon
coeruleus	Blue tang	dussumeiri	Dussumier's surgeon
glaucopareius	Gold rimmed surgeon	guttatus	Mustard surgeon
japonicus	White faced surgeon	leucosternon	Powder blue tang
lineatus	Clown surgeon	maculiceps	Black eared surgeon
matu	Matu tang	monroviae	Monrovian surgeon
nigricauda	Brown eared surgeon	nigrofuscus	Spot cheeked surgeon
nigroris	Cuvier's surgeon	olivaceus	Orange-epaulette surgeon
pyroferus	Chocolate surgeon	sohal	Red Sea surgeon
tennenti	Lieutenant surgeon	thompsonii	Yellow tailed surgeon
triostegus	Convict surgeon	xanthopterus	Purple surgeon
leucoparieus	White band surgeon	paracanthus hepatis	Blue tang

If you wish further discussion or have any queries then please E-Mail me.

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