TREVORS ANIMAL OF THE DAY (JUST KEEP SWIMMING EDITION) MAY 19, 2014 Paracanthurus hepatus. This is the Paracanthurus, known under many common names like the Regal Blue Tang and the blue surgeonfish among other names. Most people know this species from the Pixar animated film Finding Nemo and its upcoming sequel Finding Dory, where the character Dory, played by Ellen DeGeneres, is herself a blue tang. This fish is the only member of genus Paracanthurus. Its blue, yellow, and black coloring is very distinct. They can grow up to 30 cm (1 ft.) and have flat, circular bodies. They have no distinct subpopulations and are actually quite rare, but their range is extensive, ranging from the reefs of East Africa all the way to Japan and down under in the Great Barrier Reef. FUN FACTS! 1. The blue tang is a popular aquarium fish, but requires a special diet of spirulina. They can be difficult to take care of due to their special diet and being prone to lateral line disease and parasites. They are also difficult to transport due to heavy risk injury especially when they thrash. 2. In the marine environment, they feed mainly on algae. Fishes that eat algae are very important to the ecosystem because if algae is allowed to overgrow, they can suffocate and kill corals they grow on. Find more about the Great Barrier Reef here! greatbarrierreef.org/ #animals #fish #Dory
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 09:10:03 +0000
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