Blue Hippo Tang Medium (TR) – Squeaky’s Aquatics

The Blue Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) 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. Thistank-raisedmedium 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.

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Care Guide

• Tank Size:125 gallons minimum (180+ gallons recommended for adults — they are active swimmers)
• Temperature:72–78°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity:1.020–1.026 sg
• pH:8.1–8.4
• dKH:8–12
• Feeding:Herbivorous diet — offer dried BRS Nori Seaweed Sheets daily on a Two Little Fishies veggie clip, plus marine-based pellets and meaty foods like SFBB Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp 2–3 times daily.
• Temperament:Peaceful with non-tangs; aggressive toward other surgeonfish unless added simultaneously to a large tank.
• Reef Compatible:Yes — does not bother corals or invertebrates and helps graze nuisance algae.
• Max Size:~12 inches (30 cm)

Specifications

Common Name	Blue Hippo Tang (also: Pacific Blue Tang, Regal Tang, Palette Surgeonfish)
Scientific Name	Paracanthurus hepatus
Family	Acanthuridae
Origin	Tank-Raised (Indo-Pacific native range)
Care Level	Intermediate
Diet	Herbivore
Reef Compatible	Yes
Lifespan	8–20 years in captivity
Size at Purchase	Medium — approximately 2.5–3.5 inches
Water Type	Saltwater

Blue Hippo Tangs arereef safeand 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 (Cryptocaryon), so a quarantine period and a stable, established display tank are essential.

Good tank mates:Clownfish, chromis, cardinalfish, firefish, royal grammas, wrasses, gobies, blennies, peaceful angels, reef-safe shrimp, snails, and hermit crabs.

Avoid: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.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• BRS Nori Seaweed Sheets (20 g) — daily greens, essential for tang gut health
• Two Little Fishies Sea Veggies Clip — for serving nori in the tank
• SFBB Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp — protein supplement
• Reef-grade salt mixes — for stable parameters during water changes
• Saltwater test kits — keep nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity, and salinity in check
• Marine medications — keep ich and parasite treatments on hand for QT

FAQ

Why pickup only?
Tangs 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.

Is this fish reef safe?
Yes — Blue Hippo Tangs do not bother corals or invertebrates. They actively help graze nuisance algae like film algae and short hair algae.

Tank-raised vs wild-caught — what’s the difference?
Tank-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.

Can I add this to a 90-gallon tank?
We 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.

In-Store Pickup Information

Location:Squeaky’s Aquatics — 1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Hold time: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.

Acclimation: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.