{"product_id":"tank-raised-blue-hippo-tang-paracanthurus-hepatus-saltwater","title":"Tank-Raised Blue Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eTank-Raised Blue Hippo Tang\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eParacanthurus hepatus\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as the Regal Tang or Palette Surgeonfish, brings the reef's most recognizable fish to your tank without collecting it from the wild. It has the same electric blue body, bold black palette marking, and bright yellow tail as any Blue Hippo Tang, but it grew up in an aquaculture facility on prepared foods. This one is a \u003cstrong\u003emedium-large\u003c\/strong\u003e fish, past the fragile tiny-juvenile stage. It is reef safe, peaceful with most fish, and an intermediate-level tang that needs a large, mature tank planned around its adult size. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efish selection\u003c\/a\u003e while you plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 125 gallons minimum, and 180 gallons or larger is better for an adult. Blue Hippo Tangs reach around 10 to 12 inches and need long open swimming room. At medium-large size this fish is already putting on length, so the big tank should be ready now, not later.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature system:\u003c\/strong\u003e add it to a stable tank with established live rock, low nitrate, and excellent oxygenation. Tangs are one of the last fish to add, not the first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.026, alkalinity 8 to 12 dKH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a strong need for greens. Offer \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-nori-seaweed-sheets-20g\"\u003edried seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e on a clip every day, plus marine pellets and meaty frozen foods like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e. Feed small amounts two to three times daily. A varied, vitamin-rich diet helps prevent head and lateral line erosion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuarantine at home:\u003c\/strong\u003e tank-raised or not, Blue Hippo Tangs are well known for being prone to marine ich. We strongly recommend quarantining any new fish in a separate tank at home before it joins your display, and tangs especially.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHiding spots:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue Hippo Tangs like to wedge themselves into rock crevices when startled. Build the rockwork with a few caves and gaps it can dive into.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eParacanthurus hepatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlue Hippo Tang, Regal Tang, Palette Surgeonfish, Pacific Blue Tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eTank raised (aquacultured)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize offered\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMedium-large\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, territorial toward other tangs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 to 12 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e125 gallons, 180 gallons preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, needs daily greens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 years or more with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe.\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue Hippo Tangs leave corals, clams, and invertebrates alone and happily pick at film algae on the rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith other fish it is easygoing. Great tank mates include the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocellaris-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eOcellaris Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Green Chromis\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/royal-gramma-gramma-loreto-saltwater\"\u003eRoyal Gramma\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/flame-angelfish-centropyge-loricula-saltwater\"\u003eFlame Angelfish\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yellow-foxface-siganus-vulpinus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eYellow Foxface\u003c\/a\u003e. Other tangs are the main concern. In a large system, a differently shaped tang like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scopas-tang-zebrasoma-scopas-saltwater\"\u003eScopas Tang\u003c\/a\u003e can work if both go in at the same time. Avoid adding a second Blue Hippo Tang unless the tank is very large, and skip aggressive predators and fin nippers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLooking for a smaller, wild-collected juvenile instead? See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-hippo-tang-paracanthurus-hepatus-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Hippo Tang\u003c\/a\u003e listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-nori-seaweed-sheets-20g\"\u003eBRS Nori Seaweed Sheets\u003c\/a\u003e, daily greens for tang health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-little-fishies-veggiemag-magnetic-seaweed-clip\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies VeggieMag Seaweed Clip\u003c\/a\u003e for serving seaweed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rods-food-three-weed-blend-30g-seaweed-tangs\"\u003eRod's Food Three Weed Blend\u003c\/a\u003e for variety in the greens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-marine-grazing-pellets-saltwater-fish-food\"\u003eVitalis Marine Grazing Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, an algae-forward staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e for the meaty part of the diet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/selcon-vitamin-fish-food-supplement-60ml\"\u003eSelcon Vitamin Booster\u003c\/a\u003e to soak foods and support long-term health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does tank-raised mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt means this fish grew up in an aquaculture facility on prepared foods instead of on a wild reef. Tank-raised Blue Hippo Tangs are produced in small numbers, so they come in far less often than wild fish. Because it has spent its life in tanks, it is already used to aquarium life and aquarium foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a tank-raised tang still prone to ich?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It is still a Blue Hippo Tang, one of the most ich-prone fish in the hobby. Quarantine at home, keep the tank stable, and feed a varied diet with plenty of greens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy did my tang lie on its side?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlue Hippo Tangs sometimes play dead when frightened, lying flat or wedging into rock. It can look alarming, but it is normal behavior, especially right after a move. Keep the lights low and give it time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I put it in a 55 or 75 gallon tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. This fish is already medium-large, grows to around a foot long, and needs a lot of swimming room. Plan on 125 gallons at minimum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it with other tangs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly in large systems, with different body shapes, and ideally with both added at the same time. Other tangs are the most common source of trouble for a tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50579818053851,"sku":"SQ-TANGBLUEHIPPOT","price":179.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/6ac3cba94dccb13765344a31_9e9aff34-2302-4a76-bca1-6d0ff368888b_0_hq_octhy.png?v=1791216693","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tank-raised-blue-hippo-tang-paracanthurus-hepatus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}