Blue Tang
Acanthurus coeruleus
Also called Blue surgeonfish.
How to tell it
Oval, deep blue to purple with a yellow tail spine; juveniles bright yellow.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called blue tang, and what gives each one away.
- Ocean surgeonfish: Gray-blue, blue-edged tail. Tell them apart
- Doctorfish: Faint vertical bars. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish) | 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate | Year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
On the table
Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk.
In the app
Point the camera at a blue tang and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about blue tang
What is the size limit for blue tang?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish); Florida (Gulf): 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish).
How many blue tang can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate; Florida (Gulf): 5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregate.
How do you tell blue tang from ocean surgeonfish?
Blue Tang: Oval, deep blue to purple with a yellow tail spine; juveniles bright yellow. Ocean surgeonfish: gray-blue, blue-edged tail.