Found in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Kiribati and north to southern Japan, the blue tang is a reef associated fish inhabiting depths of up to 40 meters. This fish prefers Occur brisk currents on seaward reefs where it forms shoals that hover above coral colonies (especially Pocillopora eydouxi).

This species should be kept in a sufficiently large, established aquarium with plenty of live rock and plenty of open water for swimming. As a juvenile, this fish will prefer to swim in shoals, but, as it matures, the blue tang will begin to quarrel with other fish of the same species. Unless the aquarium is very large, the blue tang should be the only fish of its genus in the tank. If multiple blue tangs are to be housed together, introduce them all at the same time.