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Blue Tang

Atlantic blue tang

Acanthurus coeruleus

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Fun Facts

Young Atlantic blue tangs are bright yellow in color despite their name.

Species Type:

Fishes

Common Name(s):

Atlantic blue tang

Size:

The Atlantic blue tang grows to be 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) in length.

Diet:

These fish graze on algae, keeping coral reef communities clean and healthy.

Range & Habitat:

Atlantic blue tangs stick around coral reef habitats, rocky and grassy coastal areas in the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Details:

Atlantic blue tangs are entirely light blue in color and pancake-shaped. They have a spine at the base of their tails used to fend off predators.