Regal Tang

Fast Facts on Regal Tang Has a torn on its tail that is as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel From the surgeonfish family Become aggressive when put into the same space as other males The average size is 12.2 inches long They have very small mouths and compressed bodies

Regal Tang and Food They eat: Who eats them: They are omnivores so they eat food like plankton and shrimp Other fish in the aquarium Marine based seaweed and algae Who eats them: Larger marine animals

Habitat Where they live: Reefs across the Indo-Pacific Ocean. For example, they can be seen in the reefs of East Africa, Japan, Samoa, New Caledonia and the Great Barrier Reef Aquariums throughout countries

Reproduction They mate during February and March Usually one male with a group of females They become sexually mature between 9 to twelve months They scatter their eggs Eggs hatch within twenty-four hours

Is it edible? May cause ciguatera poisoning if consumed by humans Also, it gives off a bad odor People do not usually eat Regal tangs It is primarily used as bait

Uniqueness of the Regal Tang It had a leading role in “Finding Nemo” as Dory It will fight with other male Regal Tangs Will use tail spines to wedge themselves unto coral It is known by almost ten names: regal tang, palette surgeonfish, blue tang, royal blue tang, hippo tang, flagtail surgeonfish, pacific regal blue tang and blue surgeonfish. Can make themselves semi-transparent

Cited Works <http://saltwater.tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Tangs/RegalTang.asp/> <http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+330&pcatid=330>> </http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracanthurus_hepatus/> Images from Google.com