Blue Hippo Tang
Paracanthurus hepatus
(0 Reviews)
Blue Hippo Tang
Paracanthurus hepatus
(0 Reviews)
Blue Hippo Tang
Size: 1.25 - 2" (Indo-Pacific)
$68.99
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Blue Hippo Tang Care Facts
| Size: | Small |
|---|---|
| Care Level: | Expert |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe: | Yes |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Origin: | Fiji |
| Acclimation Time: | 3+ hours |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 90 gallons |
| Coral Safe: | Yes |
| Invertebrate Safe: | Yes |
Blue Hippo Tang
The Blue Hippo Tang, native to warm Indo-Pacific waters, including the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands, inhabits coral-rich reefs, feeding primarily on algae. Reef-safe and peaceful, it grows up to 12 inches and can live over a decade in a spacious aquarium. Their diet includes algae-based foods, supplemented with marine algae and greens. When selecting tank mates, choose peaceful species, and provide ample space and hiding spots in a coral-rich environment. Captive-bred options support sustainable practices in the aquarium trade, reducing pressure on wild populations.
Habitat
Found in the warm Indo-Pacific waters, the Blue Hippo Tang thrives in coral-rich reefs, ranging from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to Hawaiian waters, feeding primarily on algae.
Reef Compatibility
The Blue Hippo Tang is a reef-friendly species, coexisting peacefully with corals and invertebrates, making it a great addition to reef aquariums due to its algae-eating habits.
Size and Lifespan
Reaching up to 12 inches in length, the Blue Hippo Tang is among the larger tang species and can live over ten years in spacious, well-cared-for aquariums.
Dietary Needs
As herbivores, they consume a variety of algae. A balanced diet of high-quality algae-based foods and marine algae supplements is crucial for captive Blue Hippo Tangs.
Aquaculture Efforts
To meet high demand, successful breeding through aquaculture is increasing, offering a sustainable option that lessens the impact on wild populations.
Compatibility and Tank Mates
Best kept with peaceful, non-aggressive fish, Blue Hippo Tangs require a large aquarium with ample hiding spots to prevent territorial behavior.
Aquarium Requirements
Mimicking their natural coral-rich reef habitat with plenty of swimming space and live rock for grazing and hiding is key to maintaining a healthy Blue Hippo Tang.
Alternative Names
The Blue Hippo Tang is also known as Palette Surgeonfish, Regal Tang, Royal Blue Tang, or Blue Tang, admired for its beauty and reef-safe nature in saltwater aquariums.
Arrived healthy, still swimming today one week later!
Reviewed by: Peter Emery on June 11, 2026
First one sent was DOA but customer service was great and another was sent the next day. Very happy with this Tang who is doing well and looks great!
Reviewed by: Jason Richer on May 18, 2026
Reviewed by: Stacey Miller on May 18, 2026
Reviewed by: Mary Self on May 13, 2026
Reviewed by: Mark Patterson on April 26, 2026
Nice specimen
Reviewed by: Robert Newton on March 25, 2026
He is smaller than all the other fish but he out there with them he is a first time for me and a great addition. I lost all my fish during the blizzard.
Reviewed by: Pamela Longto on March 24, 2026
Arrived great. Wish I would have bought a bigger one
Reviewed by: Erik Silguero on March 11, 2026
Absolutely beautiful and very active
Reviewed by: Michelle Frizzelle on March 11, 2026
Reviewed by: Demetrius Anderson on March 11, 2026
Reviewed by: Jared Gary on Nov. 9, 2025
Reviewed by: John Arcuri on Oct. 10, 2025
Reviewed by: Sheena Leblanc on Oct. 6, 2025
Excellent specimen in good health.
Reviewed by: Dr Craig Gimbel on Sept. 17, 2025
Reviewed by: Steven Villani on Sept. 9, 2025
Very Healthy and very good price
Reviewed by: Juan Gonzalez on Aug. 25, 2025
Pair of small blue hippo tangs. Immediately into the rockwork but then out in the open and eating Vitalis pellets within a day. Look fantastic after a full week in the tank!
Reviewed by: Chad Krogh on Aug. 24, 2025
Great price for beautiful fish
Reviewed by: Brian Halsey on Aug. 11, 2025
Doing Great! Beautiful fish.
Reviewed by: David Fitzgerald on June 18, 2025
Outstanding little blue hippo tang. Disease and parasite free with a ravenous appetite! Extremely pleased with this purchase and an excellent addition to our fishy family.
Reviewed by: Perry Badeaux on June 18, 2025
Reviewed by: Georgette Sullivan on April 7, 2025
Love these fish. Great color, movement, etc. eating well.
Reviewed by: Ted Telford on Dec. 25, 2024
Reviewed by: Martin Morikado on Oct. 16, 2024
Reviewed by: Gary Sparks on Sept. 11, 2024
Reviewed by: Gary Sparks on Sept. 9, 2024
Reviewed by: Scott Olson on Aug. 21, 2024
Reviewed by: Brian Halsey on Aug. 21, 2024
Great fish ... paired with my other Hippo .. great size ... took up sleeping quarters next to the other hippo in a coral acro skeleton ... great fish ... oh ... also was free... excellent
Reviewed by: Scott Holmes on Aug. 14, 2024
Reviewed by: Richard Reedy on Aug. 8, 2024
Beautiful fish and very active.
Reviewed by: David Miller on July 4, 2024
Reviewed by: Long Xiong on June 4, 2024
Reviewed by: Gary Sparks on June 3, 2024
Reviewed by: Tameem Hourani on April 9, 2024
Reviewed by: Scott Presley on March 25, 2024
Reviewed by: Wilfredo Castillo on March 13, 2024
Reviewed by: Gary Sparks on March 6, 2024
So far doing fine, eating well
Reviewed by: Kenneth Devorak on March 4, 2024
Great service will shop again
Reviewed by: Nicholas Calabria on March 3, 2024
Great service
Reviewed by: Nicholas Calabria on March 3, 2024
Reviewed by: Barbara Pinedo on Feb. 23, 2024
Reviewed by: Brianne Goodon on Feb. 21, 2024
But these guys before never had good luck with them at other stores they would always die in the first couple days. I love the color of this guy he swims all over the tank High Low and middle he is all over
Reviewed by: Tim Fuest on Feb. 6, 2024
Whos doesn't like Dori? Blue hippo does not stop. Goes in and out of rocks and picks algae and copepods all day long. Gets along with all my inhabitants.
Reviewed by: Dale Pichelmayer on Jan. 17, 2024
Beautiful little guy
Reviewed by: Mike Perdue on Dec. 30, 2023
Reviewed by: Robert Pilny on Dec. 27, 2023
Reviewed by: Robert Pilny on Dec. 20, 2023
Reviewed by: Joshua Aust on Dec. 3, 2023
I bought 3 and one died right away. They gave me credit right away. The other two have been doing amazing. I will buy more from them!
Reviewed by: Jason Kolbrek on Dec. 3, 2023
Reviewed by: Robert Pilny on Nov. 20, 2023
Small, active and good color. Eating well and a great addition for algae control.
Reviewed by: Christopher Reason on Nov. 16, 2023
Reviewed by: Robert Pilny on Nov. 15, 2023
Reviewed by: David Rigas on Oct. 22, 2023
Reviewed by: Zhong Liang on Oct. 12, 2023
Doing great
Reviewed by: Denise Kloepping on Oct. 8, 2023
Reviewed by: Jermaine Henderson on Oct. 3, 2023
Love it. But very small
Reviewed by: Jennifer Aldridge on Oct. 2, 2023
Reviewed by: Steve Morosin on Oct. 1, 2023
Blue Hippo is doing great… :)
Reviewed by: Carrie Hoffman on Sept. 25, 2023
And my blue hippo tang is just a little guy and he’s tearing things up. He just loves it in my aquarium. Yeah I I’m just having a great time with the order that I got that everything is doing real well, thank you very much saltwater.com.
Reviewed by: Aaron Quider on Sept. 20, 2023
Reviewed by: Dean Irving on Sept. 17, 2023
Reviewed by: Susan Alexandre on July 24, 2023
