Paracanthurus hepatus

*Paracanthurus hepatus*
Taxonomical systematics
	Scientific name	Paracanthurus hepatus (Linnaeus, 1766)
	Synonyms	Teuthis hepatus Linnaeus, 1766
		Paracanthurus theuthis Lacepède, 1802
	Common names	Blue Tang, Hippo Tang, Regal Tang, Regal Blue Surgeonfish, Palette Surgeonfish
	Genus	Paracanthurus Bleeker, 1863
	Subamily	Acanthurinae
	Family	Acanthuridae
	Order	Perciformes
	Class	Actinopterygii
	Phylum	Chordata

Local ecology
	Distribution	Oceania, Tropical Western Pacific, Great Barrier Reef, Northern and Western Indian Ocean.
	Habitat	Coastal to outer reef flats (Kuiter and Debelius, 2001).

Biological characteristics
	Maximum size	31cm TL
	Wild foods	Zooplankton as juveniles, zooplankton and benthic algae as adults (Kuiter and Debelius, 2001).

	*Blue Tang Paracanthurus hepatus* in the aquarium.**
Captive care
	Feeding	Should be fed a mix of zooplakton substitute (e.g. brine shrimp, mysids) and algae substitute (e.g. Nori).
	Diseases and other maladies	Supposedly susceptible to "Ich".

References
	Kuiter R.H. and Debelius H. 2001. Surgeonfishes, Rabbitfishes and Their Relatives - A Comprehensive Guide to Acanthuroidei. TMC Publishing, Chorleywood, UK. 208pp.