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Animal Guide

Atlantic Blue Tang Surgeonfish

35 destinations · 18 states

Native Range
Tropical western Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico

The Atlantic blue tang surgeonfish is hard to miss in a reef exhibit, with its bright blue body, yellow-edged fins, and bold dark markings. Watch one for a few minutes and you'll notice that much of its day is spent grazing. It uses its small mouth to pick algae from rocks and reef surfaces, moving steadily from one patch to another. That constant feeding helps keep algae from overwhelming corals and other reef organisms. The tail has a detail worth spotting, too. On either side of the tail base are sharp spines that can be used for defense when the fish feels threatened. Atlantic blue tangs can dart away quickly when startled, then return to grazing almost immediately. Young fish look quite different from adults, often showing darker coloring and yellow tones before developing the familiar blue pattern. In an aquarium, following one as it works across the rocks gives visitors a closer look at the everyday activity that helps keep a coral reef functioning.

Atlantic Blue Tang Surgeonfish

Where to see Atlantic Blue Tang Surgeonfish

35 destinations across 18 states

35 destinations

ABQ BioPark Aquarium

Albuquerque, NM

Adventure Aquarium

Camden, NJ

Audubon Aquarium

New Orleans, LA

Cameron Park Zoo

Waco, TX

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Clearwater, FL

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Powell, OH

Georgia Aquarium

Atlanta, GA

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Cleveland, OH

Jenkinson's Aquarium

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Kansas City, MO

Key West Aquarium

Key West, FL

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

Sarasota, FL

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic, CT

National Aquarium

Baltimore, MD

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Dubuque, IA

New England Aquarium

Boston, MA

New York Aquarium

Brooklyn, NY

Newport Aquarium

Newport, KY

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Kure Beach, NC

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

Pine Knoll Shores, NC

Oklahoma Aquarium

Jenks, OK

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha, NE

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Gatlinburg, TN

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio, TX

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord

Concord, NC

SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium

Kansas City, MO

SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando, FL

SeaWorld San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, TN

Texas State Aquarium

Corpus Christi, TX

The Florida Aquarium

Tampa, FL

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Norwalk, CT

VIA Aquarium

Schenectady, NY

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

Springfield, MO

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