How big does Regal Blue Tang get?

Regal Blue Tang reaches an adult standard length of 20–30 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Regal Blue Tang need?

24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.

What is the smallest tank for Regal Blue Tang?

At least 500 L, and no shorter than 150 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Regal Blue Tang like to keep?

Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the all levels and is herbivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".

Can Regal Blue Tang be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Can be kept together". Regal Blue Tang and Yellow Tang is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".

G-01 / 52Marine

Regal Blue Tang蓝吊

Paracanthurus hepatus · Acanthuridae

Royal blue with black markings and a yellow tail; famous, but demands a huge tank.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 52 · Regal Blue Tang Paracanthurus hepatus

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 蓝吊
Scientific name: Paracanthurus hepatus
Family: Acanthuridae
Origin: Indo-Pacific coral reefs
Adult size: 20–30 cm
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Herbivore
Water level: All levels
Level: Moderate
Min. tank: 500 L
Min. length: 150 cm
Reef safe: Reef safe

Water requirementsMarine

Temp.24–27 °C

pH8.1–8.4

Salinity1.023–1.026 SG

Alkalinity7–9 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Reaches 30 cm; not suitable for long-term care below 500 L.
2Highly prone to ich; quarantine and stable parameters decide survival.
3Plays dead by lying on its side when stressed; dim the lights and observe.
4Needs a continuous algae supply; nori and algae sheets as staples.
5Reef safe, though large adults stir up the substrate as they swim.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Regal Blue Tang against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Regal Blue Tang get?: Regal Blue Tang reaches an adult standard length of 20–30 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Regal Blue Tang need?: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.
What is the smallest tank for Regal Blue Tang?: At least 500 L, and no shorter than 150 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Regal Blue Tang like to keep?: Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the all levels and is herbivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".
Can Regal Blue Tang be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Can be kept together". Regal Blue Tang and Yellow Tang is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".