Paracanthurus hepatus
The palette surgeonfish, or blue tang, occurs widely throughout the Indo-West Pacific, in clear, current-swept terraces of seaward reefs. It is observed in loose aggregations 1 or 2 meters above the bottom. Feeds primarily on zooplankton and microalgae. Hides itself among corals when alarmed. Its blue color fades at night or under stress. Juvenile blue tangs are actually yellow. Hepatus is the only species in genus Paracanthurus.
This picture was taken in the zoo of Pittsburgh, PA, in August 2002.
Genus Paracanthurus
Family Acanthuridae
Suborder Acanthuroidei
Order Perciformes
Subclass Actinopterygii
Class Osteichthyes
Subphylum Vertebrata
Phylum Chordata
Kingdom Animalia
Life on Earth
Index