What salt water aquarium enthusiast hasn’t seen the Disney-Pixar animated movie “Finding Nemo?” And if you have kids, you’ve probably seen it more than once (or a dozen or so times!). I’ll admit, I’m a big fan of the movie, so when I found out that our salt water aquarium would feature both a Nemo (a clownfish) and a Dory (a blue tang) I was super excited!
Blue tangs (otherwise known as Regal Tangs, Blue Sturgeonfish, or Indo-Pacific Blue Tangs) are actually quite easy to keep in a salt water aquarium. They don’t really have any special requirements, save a tank size of about 75 gallons. Besides their undeniable beauty, these fish are often a pleasure to watch. Most blue tangs are extremely active and will swim all over the tank. Younger tang fish will sometimes swim in small groups, but adult blue tang fish are solitary.
Feeding a blue tang fish is quite simple as well. In the wild blue tangs eat zooplankton. So, in captivity, it is recommended that a tang be fed a cocktail of the following items in small amounts a few times a day. Brine shrimp, mysis, grindal worms, and flake food can be found at most pet stores and should definitely be available at any store specializing in salt water aquariums.
Want to know a little bit more about blue tang fish? Well, let me fill you in. In the wild, blue tang fish occupy a habitat that runs from East Africa all the way to Japan. It’s amazing to think how beautiful a blue tang would be in the wild! These fish usually swim at around 10-40 meters, meaning that it is quite possible you’d see one while scuba diving or snorkeling. In their natural habitats, blue tang can grow to up to 30 centimeters, or 12 inches. Blue tangs have been know to reach this size in captivity, but a length of eight or nine inches is common.
There you have it! What you’ve always wanted to know about blue tang fish right at your fingertips! Now for the best part…you can purchase your own blue tang for under $50 in the USA. There. Now you have no excuse for not owning your dream fish! Already own a blue tang? If you have any good stories or helpful information, please post a comment leaving your opinions and thoughts!
Have a fabulous weekend!!