Interesting Facts About the Blue Hippo Tang

Pixar's "Finding Nemo" introduced most of us to the Blue Hippo Tang. The animated film had one named Dory voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. In the real world, Blue Hippo Tangs, also called Blue Tangs, are easy to identify thanks to their bright blue and circular bodies. They have black markings that start at the eyes and run to the end of their pectoral fin and their yellow tail fin. The exotic look makes the Blue Tang a popular aquarium fish.

  1. General facts

    • Wild Blue tangs tend to live around coral rocks in the Caribbean at depths down to 130 feet. They may travel in large schools with other species including surgeonfish and other tangs. As of 2011, the tangs are not considered endangered. The blue tang eats algae, and it can be eaten by big reef fish like Tuna, groupers and barracudas.

    Color

    • A newborn Blue Hippo Tang is very small and lacks the black and yellow accent colors. As it grows it will go from yellow to the bright blue. An adult blue tang can change colors from blue to purple at will. This chameleon-like capability is related to stress.

    Physical Traits

    • The blue tang has sharp spines that stand up straight and extend outward from the tang's body. When the fish gets excited, it thrashes its tail as a way to warn other fish to stay away. This thrashing is also a danger to aquarium owners reaching into a tank. It's also a large aquarium fish. A fully mature adult may be as long as 16 inches.

    Personality

    • Blue Hippo Tangs are considered entertaining saltwater aquarium fish. The website thehomeaquarium says they will squeeze into decorations, chase bubbles, and roll over and play dead. They can be kept with similar peaceful fish about the same size. Since they tend to swim fast, they must be in a tank with plenty of open swimming space. The site recommends a 70-gallon tank for a single tang. They are territorial, so unless the tank is very large, two male Tangs should not be kept together.