Blue TangorDoctorfish
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Blue Tang
Oval, deep blue to purple with a yellow tail spine; juveniles bright yellow.
Doctorfish
Brownish-gray surgeonfish with 10–12 faint vertical bars on the sides and a tail spine.
Doctorfish, next to blue tang: faint vertical bars.
Side by side
| Blue Tang | Doctorfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Acanthurus coeruleus | Acanthurus chirurgus |
| Also called | Blue surgeonfish | Doctor fish |
| Waters | Nearshore | Nearshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | — |
| On the table | Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk. | Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 2 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
Where either fish has a rule, the two are regulated the same. The name still goes in the log and on the tally.
| State | Blue Tang: size · bag · season | Doctorfish: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked | 9" FL max (tangs and surgeonfish)5 per species within 20-organism marine life aggregateYear-roundOpenFWC 2026 · likely · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, blue tang or doctorfish, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell blue tang from doctorfish?
Blue Tang: Oval, deep blue to purple with a yellow tail spine; juveniles bright yellow. Doctorfish: Brownish-gray surgeonfish with 10–12 faint vertical bars on the sides and a tail spine. Doctorfish, next to blue tang: faint vertical bars.
Which is better to eat, blue tang or doctorfish?
Blue Tang: Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk. Doctorfish: Rarely eaten — ciguatera risk.
Do blue tang and doctorfish have the same limits?
Yes, in every state that regulates either one. The table on this page lists each rule with its source and check date.