Hepatus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Eucarida
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Hepatidae
Genus: Hepatus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hepatus: /ˈhɛpətəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Hepatus epheliticus by The original uploader was Dawson at English Wikipedia.. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.

Calico Box Crab (11353808884) by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Calico Box Crab (11353760305) by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Hepatus epheliticus (calico box crab) (Sanibel Island, Florida, USA) 2 by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Hepatus epheliticus (calico box crab) (Sanibel Island, Florida, USA) (24430271121) by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Calico Box Crab (11671212296) by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Paracanthurus hepatus, commonly known as the regal blue tang, is a popular marine aquarium fish native to the Indo-Pacific, characterized by its vibrant blue coloration and yellow tail. It plays a role in coral reef health by consuming algae and is involved in a dynamic life cycle both in reproduction and juvenile development.

Physical Characteristics

Paracanthurus hepatus has a royal blue body, yellow tail, and black 'palette' design. It grows to 30 cm (12 in) and typically weighs around 600 g (21 oz). It has a flat, circular body shape, pointed snout-like nose, nine dorsal spines, 26–28 dorsal soft rays, three anal spines, and 24–26 anal soft yellow rays.

Identification Tips

Look for the distinctive blue body with a yellow tail and black 'palette' design. The body shape is circular with a pointed snout.

Habitat

The regal blue tang inhabits coral reefs and is often found near cauliflower corals on the seaweed side of coral reefs.

Distribution

Widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific, including the reefs of the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, New Caledonia, Samoa, East Africa, and Sri Lanka.

Diet

Juveniles primarily consume plankton, while adults are omnivorous and feed on plankton and graze on algae.

Life Cycle

Males court females leading to a quick spawning rush at the water's surface. Eggs are pelagic and hatch within 24 hours into small, translucent larvae.

Reproduction

Spawning occurs in the late afternoon and evening, indicated by a color change from dark blue to pale blue. Fish reach sexual maturity in 9–12 months.

Conservation Status

Least concern according to the IUCN, but threatened by overexploitation and habitat destruction.

Ecosystem Role

Important for coral health as it feeds on algae that can overgrow and suffocate corals.

Economic Impact

Minor commercial fisheries importance as a bait fish; collected for the aquarium trade.

Cultural Significance

Featured in the Disney/Pixar films Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.

Health Concerns

May cause ciguatera poisoning if consumed by humans. Handling can lead to cuts from caudal spines, which can get infected.