donate

membership

 

Pacific Blue Tang: here’s the scoop

threats

Overexploitation and destructive fishing practices are threats in some parts of its range. Widespread coral reef loss and declining habitat conditions are particularly worrying for species that recruit into areas with live coral cover.

Species

Pacific Blue Tang

Scientific name

Paracanthurus hepatus

Habitat

Clear water on exposed outer reef areas or in channels where there is consistent moderate to strong current.

Diet

Plankton and algae

life expectancy

8 – 20 years

Did you know?

Blue tang eat nothing but algae and they’re instrumental in keeping the algae levels on coral down to a manageable level. Without the blue tang there to eat their fill, algae could overgrow and suffocate the reefs.

Range

East Africa, Japan, Samoa, and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia

Conservation status

Least Concern

Widespread and abundant