Hippo tang

Here’s a retail-ready overview for the Hippo tang (also called the Blue Tang or Regal Tang):

🐠 Hippo Tang 

• Scientific name: Paracanthurus hepatus
• 🌊 Native to: Indo-Pacific reefs
• 📏 Adult size: 10–12 inches
• 🎨 Color: Bright blue body with black pattern and yellow tail
• 🐟 Family: Surgeonfish (has a sharp “scalpel” spine near tail)
• 🎬 Famous as “Dory” from Finding Nemo

🏠 Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size: 125 gallons (larger preferred)
• Needs strong flow and high oxygen
• Plenty of swimming space (open water swimmer)
• Stable reef parameters (sensitive to swings)

🍃 Diet

• Primarily herbivore
• Nori/seaweed sheets (great upsell)
• Spirulina-based foods
• Will also accept mysis and quality pellets

Temperament

• Generally peaceful
• Can be territorial with other tangs
• Active swimmer
• Prone to ich if stressed 

✔ Great reef fish

✔ Active centerpiece fish

✔ Needs large tank despite small juvenile size

✖ Not for tanks under 4 feet long

✖ Not ideal for brand-new systems