Who?
Family: Acanthuridae
Species: Acanthurus coeruleus
Species ID: A.AC
Description: A disk-shaped fish with a sloping forehead (1) and high set eyes. Adults are deep blue to indigo, and can pale or darken the body at will. Fish of the family Acanthuridae are characterized by a sharp spine on either side of the tail (2), which is bright white or yellow in the blue tang. Sexes appear similar, and juveniles resemble adults except in their colour, which is bright yellow
Maximum Size: 40 cm (16 in)
Longevity: Up to 28 years
Status: Not currently on the IUCN endangered species list
Blue Tang & People: Consumed locally, but not important in commercial fisheries. However, this species is popular in the aquarium trade and is collected locally for export
Where?
Geographical Range: Very common in shallow waters throughout the Caribbean; rare or absent within the Gulf of Mexico
Coral Reef Zone: Commonly found in the back reef, reef flat and fore reef zones. May occasionally be found in the shore zone
Favourite Habitat: Blue tangs prefer shallow areas with coral rock and rubble on which algae can flourish
Depth Range: 2–40 m (6–131 ft)
A Day in the Life:
Dawn: Fish emerge from shelters and form feeding schools
Day: Typically found foraging for algae on the reef either alone or in large schools
Dusk: Schools begin to break up as fish seek night-time shelters. Spawning in large groups may occur from late afternoon to dusk
Night: Fish shelter in crevices or near large structures
Who Eats Who
The blue tang is herbivorous and grazes on algae. This fish is eaten by a variety of large reef predators including grouper, snapper, jacks, and barracuda.
Scuba Diver & Snorkeler Best Practices
Don’t stand on marine life : Never walk on the reef, no matter how shallow or devoid of life the reef may actually appear; a great deal of life on coral reefs may actually be invisible to the naked eye, and contact with these organisms may kill them. If you feel particularly uncomfortable in the water you may wish to wear a buoyancy aid. Additionally, always ensure your equipment fits before you enter the water; it is difficult to adjust when you are swimming and poor-fitting gear often results in snorkelers searching for a place to stand to order to make the necessary adjustments.
