TankBud

Atlantic blue tang

Acanthurus coeruleus

Also known as Blue Caribbean Tang, Atlantic Blue Surgeonfish, Blue Tang Surgeonfish

SaltwaterFish

Atlantic blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus)
NOAA Photo Library · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
13.8 in
35 cm
Minimum tank
151 gal
570 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Acanthuridae
Origin
Western Atlantic from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico through the Caribbean to Brazil, over coral reefs and rocky bottoms.

Overview

The Atlantic blue tang is one of the more common Caribbean surgeonfish and suits a large reef tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

A bright yellow juvenile Atlantic blue tang and a blue adult look so different that early naturalists described them as separate species.

Caring for the Atlantic blue tang

Give a single Atlantic blue tang at least 151 gal (570 L) of swimming space. Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

Feed dried seaweed, spirulina and marine algae every day, plus some meaty foods. It is reef safe and does not bother corals or invertebrates.

The Atlantic blue tang is peaceful toward unrelated fish but scraps with other tangs. Keep it as the only surgeonfish unless the tank is very large. It grows quickly and turns bolder and more territorial with size, so choose its tank mates with caution.

Good to know

Acanthurus coeruleus belongs to the same genus as the sohal and clown tangs. Its color change from yellow to deep blue with age is a reliable field marker. Aquarium adults usually settle nearer 23 to 30 cm.

In the wild

Atlantic blue tangs range from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico through the Caribbean to Brazil. Adults graze algae over coral reefs, rocky bottoms and reef flats. They sometimes join feeding groups with other surgeonfish and parrotfish.

Common questions

What size tank does an Atlantic blue tang need?

An Atlantic blue tang needs at least 151 gal (570 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Atlantic blue tang need?

An Atlantic blue tang is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does an Atlantic blue tang eat?

An Atlantic blue tang eats dried seaweed, spirulina and marine algae, offered every day. Add some meaty foods to round out its diet.

How big does an Atlantic blue tang get?

An adult Atlantic blue tang reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).

Related species