The Zoo is
CLOSED
for the winter season.
Visit us when we
reopen in April 2010.

Blue Tang

Scientific Name:	Paracanthurus hepatus
Range:	Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Habitat:	Coral reefs
Natural Diet:	Marine algae, brine shrimp, seaweeds and other small micro organisms
Zoo Diet:	Brine shrimp, capelin, chopped squid, broccoli and peas
Physical Characteristics:	An oval-shaped fish with a hard beak-like mouth that scrapes algae from the rock. Will grow eight to twelve inches in length. Has sharp spines on each side of its tail. When disturbed, these spines unfold from a groove and can inflict serious wounds. (This is why the fish is often referred to as a surgeonfish.)
Behavior:	Active, always on the move, resting at night
Reproduction:	Fertilization of the eggs occurs externally by the male. Young blue tang begin life a bright yellow color with blue spots near the eyes.
Notes:	There are many varieties of tang including blue, yellow, sailfin and purple.