Palette Surgeonfish
Paracanthurus hepatus
The palette surgeonfish is known by many names, including palette tang, regal blue tang, and blue tang. This species is found in and around the reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Typical of surgeonfish, this fish sports weapon-like spines at the base of its tail. These oval-shaped fish are bright blue in color with yellow on their tails and dark blue body accents. These popular aquarium fish are listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Palette Surgeonfish
Paracanthurus hepatus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least concern
CLIMATE CHANGE:
At the Aquarium
The Aquarium has palette surgeonfish in Shark Lagoon, Tropical Reef habitat, and other exhibits in the Tropical Pacific Gallery.
Geographic Distribution
These fish are found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, from East Africa to Kiribati, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, Samoa and New Caledonia.
Habitat
Palette surgeonfish live around tropical coral reefs with strong water currents.
Physical Characteristics
This species has an oval-shaped, laterally compressed body with a pointed snout-like nose and small mouth. It has a bright blue body color, and iridophores, a type of chromatophore, contribute to the coloration. Adults have dark blue narrow lines on the dorsal side of body that darken, turning black near the tail. These fish are bright yellow on the caudal and pectoral fins extending in a “V” shape from the caudal fin to just behind the caudal spine. Juveniles are bright yellow with blue spots close to their eyes. The dorsal and anal fins are tipped in light blue. Their color changes to blue as they mature. A caudal spine on each side of the caudal fin contains toxins that can cause debilitating pain to small predators and pain and uncomfortable irritation to humans. Small scales cover their body.
Size
Palette surgeonfish range from 5 to 15 inches (12 to 38 centimeters) in length, averaging 10 to 12 inches (25 to 31 centimeters).
Diet
This fish is an omnivore that feeds on zooplankton and algae.
Reproduction
Breeding takes place during the cooler months, depending on location and water temperature. Breeding activity is most concentrated from December to June in the Pacific. Broadcast spawners, male and female palette surgeonfish gather in spontaneous breeding groups. The group begins swimming upward, releasing their eggs and sperm at the crest of their upward movement. External fertilization takes place in the water, with the currents dispersing the gametes and fertilized eggs. Each of the eggs contain a drop of oil for floatation. Females may release up to 40,000 eggs during each spawning event. Fertilized eggs will hatch between twenty-five and twenty-eight hours after fertilization. The larvae will develop quickly. Sexual maturity is measured by size and not age. Males typically reach sexual maturity around 4 inches (11 centimeters) in length and females at about 5 inches (13 centimeters).
Behavior
In the reef, palette surgeonfish school for protection. Males may fight other males by circling each other while displaying their caudal spine and attempting to slash their rival. Their blue coloration may change during intense encounters. The most dominant fish often have the largest breeding territory. These fish will often hide in the reef to escape from predators. These fish may also “play dead” when spotted by a predator by lying on their side without any movement.
Adaptation
Palette surgeonfish defend themselves with their sharp caudal spine.
Longevity
A palette surgeonfish’s typical lifespan in the wild may be more than thirty years, with the average being twelve to fourteen years.
Conservation
Listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Palette Surgeonfish
Paracanthurus hepatus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least concern
CLIMATE CHANGE:
The Aquarium has palette surgeonfish in Shark Lagoon, Tropical Reef habitat, and other exhibits in the Tropical Pacific Gallery.
These fish are found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, from East Africa to Kiribati, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef, Samoa and New Caledonia.
Palette surgeonfish live around tropical coral reefs with strong water currents.
This species has an oval-shaped, laterally compressed body with a pointed snout-like nose and small mouth. It has a bright blue body color, and iridophores, a type of chromatophore, contribute to the coloration. Adults have dark blue narrow lines on the dorsal side of body that darken, turning black near the tail. These fish are bright yellow on the caudal and pectoral fins extending in a “V” shape from the caudal fin to just behind the caudal spine. Juveniles are bright yellow with blue spots close to their eyes. The dorsal and anal fins are tipped in light blue. Their color changes to blue as they mature. A caudal spine on each side of the caudal fin contains toxins that can cause debilitating pain to small predators and pain and uncomfortable irritation to humans. Small scales cover their body.
Palette surgeonfish range from 5 to 15 inches (12 to 38 centimeters) in length, averaging 10 to 12 inches (25 to 31 centimeters).
This fish is an omnivore that feeds on zooplankton and algae.
Breeding takes place during the cooler months, depending on location and water temperature. Breeding activity is most concentrated from December to June in the Pacific. Broadcast spawners, male and female palette surgeonfish gather in spontaneous breeding groups. The group begins swimming upward, releasing their eggs and sperm at the crest of their upward movement. External fertilization takes place in the water, with the currents dispersing the gametes and fertilized eggs. Each of the eggs contain a drop of oil for floatation. Females may release up to 40,000 eggs during each spawning event. Fertilized eggs will hatch between twenty-five and twenty-eight hours after fertilization. The larvae will develop quickly. Sexual maturity is measured by size and not age. Males typically reach sexual maturity around 4 inches (11 centimeters) in length and females at about 5 inches (13 centimeters).
In the reef, palette surgeonfish school for protection. Males may fight other males by circling each other while displaying their caudal spine and attempting to slash their rival. Their blue coloration may change during intense encounters. The most dominant fish often have the largest breeding territory. These fish will often hide in the reef to escape from predators. These fish may also “play dead” when spotted by a predator by lying on their side without any movement.
Palette surgeonfish defend themselves with their sharp caudal spine.
A palette surgeonfish’s typical lifespan in the wild may be more than thirty years, with the average being twelve to fourteen years.
Listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.