Species
Blue Tang
Paracanthurus hepatus
Also known as palette surgeonfish
Tier 5Eating5/10ultralight tackleQLDWANT
0 waypoints15–25 cm (max 30 cm) typical
Overview: about blue tang
Bright blue tropical reef surgeonfish of northern Australian coral reef, made famous by Finding Nemo. Mostly an aquarium species; rarely caught.
Biology: Blue Tang size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Reef
- Typical size
- 15–25 cm (max 30 cm)
- Weight
- 0.1–0.4 kg
- Depth range
- 2–40 m
- Diet
- zooplankton, algae
- Global range
- Indo-Pacific
How to target: Blue Tang angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- incidental
Safety & handling
Ciguatera risk: lowAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
In the same waters
- sharp caudal spine
Recent community catches: anglers who caught blue tang
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More information: blue tang references & sources
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