Meet the Blue Tang

The Atlantic Blue Tang is often referred to as the blue tang however this confuses its name with the Regal blue tang of the Pacific.  The Atlantic Blue Tang is also referred to as the Caribbean Tang, the Blue Barber, the Blue Doctor, the Blue Doctorfish, the Blue Tang Surgeonfish, the Blue tang, the Yellow Barber and Yellow Doctorfish.   The references to yellow result from the fact that juveniles are yellow in color.

The Atlantic Blue Tang is most common in the eastern Caribbean from Florida, through the Bahamas to as far south as Bermuda.   It prefers coral reefs and grassy areas and can be found in shallow waters or in depths up to 100 feet.  In corals, it will find shelter among the rocks and rest in crevices at night.  Atlantic Blue Tangs form pairs or small schools. Its shape is typical of tangs, with a laterally compressed body, a lengthy continuous dorsal fin and a sharp retractable spine at the base of the tail.  The bright yellow juveniles are hard to find among the rocks.  As they mature, they transition to blue body with a yellow tail before turning completely blue, except for a small yellow spot on the caudal peduncle.