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Blue Hippo Tang

Blue Hippo Tang

Paracanthurus hepatus

The Blue Hippo Tang is famous for its striking royal-blue body, black 'palette' marking, and vivid yellow tail. It is highly sought-after in the marine aquarium trade and needs ample swimming space. Like all surgeonfishes it is prone to ich, so strong water quality and a large, well-established tank are essential.

TemperamentSemi-aggressive
Max Size12"
Care LevelModerate
CategoryTang

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Compatibility Chart for Blue Hippo Tang

See how Blue Hippo Tang gets along with every other species in our database.

Great Match (15)

Kole Tang Great Very different feeding and behavior Naso Tang Great Excellent match - different niches Ocellaris Clownfish Great Finding Nemo duo! Great pairing True Percula Clownfish Great Great iconic pairing Yellowspotted Wrasse Great No conflict Mandarin Dragonet Great No competition whatsoever Convict Tang Great Great combo - both relatively peaceful Tomini Tang Great Great pairing - no conflict Foxface Rabbitfish Great Great pairing — different niches One Spot Foxface Great Great combo Masked Rabbitfish Great Different niches; great match Bubble Tip Anemone Great No interaction Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Great Blue tang loves being cleaned Hammer Coral Great No issues Acropora Great Reef safe

Compatible (68)

Yellow Tang Compatible Different body shapes reduce aggression Maroon Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Clarkii Clownfish Compatible No known issues between these species Flame Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Coral Beauty Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Emperor Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species French Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Six Line Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Fairy Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Melanurus Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Cleaner Wrasse Compatible No known issues between these species Clown Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Firefish Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Yellow Watchman Goby Compatible No known issues between these species Blue Devil Damselfish Compatible No known issues between these species Green Chromis Compatible No known issues between these species Yellowtail Damselfish Compatible No known issues between these species Copperband Butterflyfish Compatible No known issues between these species Raccoon Butterflyfish Compatible No known issues between these species Longnose Butterflyfish Compatible No known issues between these species Flame Hawkfish Compatible No known issues between these species Longnose Hawkfish Compatible No known issues between these species Midas Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Tailspot Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Lawnmower Blenny Compatible Blue tang eats different algae types; fine Bicolor Blenny Compatible No known issues between these species Royal Gramma Compatible No known issues between these species Banggai Cardinalfish Compatible No known issues between these species Pajama Cardinalfish Compatible No known issues between these species Purple Tang Compatible Different genera; usually compatible Scopas Tang Compatible Different genera; usually fine Epaulette Shark Compatible No known issues between these species Coral Catshark Compatible Large enough to coexist Magnificent Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species Niger Triggerfish Compatible Good match in large tank Bluechin Triggerfish Compatible Works well in large tank Undulate Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Pinktail Triggerfish Compatible Good match Magnificent Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Long Tentacle Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Sebae Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Chicago Sunburst BTA Compatible No known issues between these species Rose Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Colorado Sunburst BTA Compatible No known issues between these species Fire Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Peppermint Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Tiger Pistol Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Sexy Shrimp Compatible No known issues between these species Emerald Crab Compatible No known issues between these species Blue Leg Hermit Crab Compatible No known issues between these species Turbo Snail Compatible No known issues between these species Nassarius Snail Compatible No known issues between these species Tuxedo Urchin Compatible No known issues between these species Red Fromia Starfish Compatible No known issues between these species Torch Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Frogspawn Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Zoanthids Compatible No known issues between these species Mushroom Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Rhodactis Mushroom Compatible No known issues between these species Ricordea Florida Compatible No known issues between these species Ricordea Yuma Compatible No known issues between these species Bounce Mushroom Compatible No known issues between these species Green Star Polyps Compatible No known issues between these species Pulsing Xenia Compatible No known issues between these species Montipora Compatible No known issues between these species Leather Coral Compatible No known issues between these species Duncan Coral Compatible No known issues between these species

Somewhat Compatible (5)

Powder Blue Tang Somewhat Compatible Both Acanthuridae but different genera Achilles Tang Somewhat Compatible Different genera but Achilles is aggressive Brownbanded Bamboo Shark Somewhat Compatible Blue tang may be okay if large; monitor Picasso Triggerfish Somewhat Compatible Blue tang large enough but stressful Carpet Anemone Somewhat Compatible Large enough to avoid being eaten but stress risk

Risky (3)

Clown Tang Risky Clown tang dominates most tankmates Sohal Tang Risky Sohal dominates everything; rarely works Clown Triggerfish Risky Blue tang at risk from clown trigger

Not Compatible (1)

Horn Shark Not Compatible Incompatible temperatures

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