Blue tang

The bright blue fish has a black pattern on its slender body that resembles a painter’s palette. Juveniles feed mainly on tiny floating organisms (plankton), while adults are omnivorous. They enjoy grazing on algal beds but also consume food of animal origin. During reproduction, they gather in large schools. At this time, the school suddenly swims toward the surface and releases its gametes near it. The eggs and newly hatched larvae become part of the plankton and only later settle on the reefs.
Like other members of the family, this species has sharp spines on its caudal peduncle, which lie flat against the body when at rest. When attacked by a predator, it immediately extends its spines and lashes out violently with its tail, capable of causing serious injury. Several species in the doctorfish family also produce venom, which can make these spines even more dangerous.