{"product_id":"blue-hippo-tang-paracanthurus-hepatus-tank-raised-saltwater-pickup-only","title":"Blue Hippo Tang Medium (TR) | Reef Safe, Herbivore","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Hippo Tang (\u003cem\u003eParacanthurus hepatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most iconic reef fish in the hobby — brilliant electric-blue body, jet-black palette pattern, and a flash of yellow on the tail. This \u003cstrong\u003etank-raised\u003c\/strong\u003e medium specimen is hardier than wild-caught counterparts, ships with a stronger immune system, and is already accustomed to prepared foods. An intermediate-care herbivore best suited for established reef tanks 125 gallons or larger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSaltwater Livestock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFish\u003c\/a\u003e in our showroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 125 gallons minimum (180+ gallons recommended for adults — they are active swimmers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–78°F (22–26°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.020–1.026 sg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003edKH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbivorous diet — offer dried \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-nori-seaweed-sheets-20g\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBRS Nori Seaweed Sheets\u003c\/a\u003e daily on a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sea-veggies-floating-clip-single\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies veggie clip\u003c\/a\u003e, plus marine-based pellets and meaty foods like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSFBB Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e 2–3 times daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful with non-tangs; aggressive toward other surgeonfish unless added simultaneously to a large tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatible:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — does not bother corals or invertebrates and helps graze nuisance algae.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~12 inches (30 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBlue Hippo Tang (also: Pacific Blue Tang, Regal Tang, Palette Surgeonfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eParacanthurus hepatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAcanthuridae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eTank-Raised (Indo-Pacific native range)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eHerbivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatible\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e8–20 years in captivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize at Purchase\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eMedium — approximately 2.5–3.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Hippo Tangs are \u003cstrong\u003ereef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e and generally peaceful with most other species. Avoid keeping with conspecifics or other surgeonfish in tanks under 200 gallons — they will fight. They are very prone to marine ich (\u003cem\u003eCryptocaryon\u003c\/em\u003e), so a quarantine period and a stable, established display tank are essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clownfish, chromis, cardinalfish, firefish, royal grammas, wrasses, gobies, blennies, peaceful angels, reef-safe shrimp, snails, and hermit crabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Other tangs (unless added simultaneously to a 200+ gallon system), large aggressive predators (groupers, large triggers, lionfish), and any nippy fish that may stress the tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-nori-seaweed-sheets-20g\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBRS Nori Seaweed Sheets (20 g)\u003c\/a\u003e — daily greens, essential for tang gut health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sea-veggies-floating-clip-single\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies Sea Veggies Clip\u003c\/a\u003e — for serving nori in the tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSFBB Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e — protein supplement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-mixes\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eReef-grade salt mixes\u003c\/a\u003e — for stable parameters during water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSaltwater test kits\u003c\/a\u003e — keep nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity, and salinity in check\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/medication\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMarine medications\u003c\/a\u003e — keep ich and parasite treatments on hand for QT\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy pickup only?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTangs are highly stress-sensitive and notoriously prone to ich during shipping transitions. Selling pickup-only lets us hand off a healthy fish from our QT system directly to your bucket — no overnight box, no temperature swings, no DOA risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this fish reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — Blue Hippo Tangs do not bother corals or invertebrates. They actively help graze nuisance algae like film algae and short hair algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank-raised vs wild-caught — what's the difference?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTank-raised (TR) Blue Tangs were bred in captivity, never exposed to wild parasites, eat prepared foods from day one, and adapt much faster to home aquariums. They are more expensive but dramatically more likely to thrive long-term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I add this to a 90-gallon tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe don't recommend it. Blue Hippo Tangs grow to roughly 12 inches and need long horizontal swim space. 125 gallons is the minimum and 180+ is ideal for an adult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eIn-Store Pickup Information\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Squeaky's Aquatics — 1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA 30043\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHold time:\u003c\/strong\u003e We will hold your purchased fish for up to 7 days. After 7 days without pickup or communication, the fish may be returned to inventory and a store credit issued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drip acclimate over 45–60 minutes into your established display or QT tank. We strongly recommend a 4-week QT with prophylactic copper or tank-transfer method before introducing to a reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48252093137115,"sku":"FTABL750AA-3","price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/lg_73746_Blue_Tang.jpg?v=1767208604","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-hippo-tang-paracanthurus-hepatus-tank-raised-saltwater-pickup-only","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}