A. Fowleri

Spartan

Member
It's not often that these come along. I'd like to share my experience so far.
First the background. As with all things in this hobby, research is very important prior to a purchase.
Here are some of the common and or interesting themes in background reading and on RC from most consistently documented to least.
-They do get large. I haven't seen or read of one reaching the 20+ inch in captivity but I'm sure they're out there. In the wild 20-22" is the reported full grown size. The rate of growth has varied reports, all of which are poorly documented, but most fall into around 1"/ year. At 12" by all reports that I could find growth slows down significantly.
-peaceful community fish, pretty much in all reports
-reef safe
- voracious eater, high waste output
-variable expression of coloration. Some say dark, some lighter tones. Some reports of variation with mood.
-ick resistance (one anecdote) , supposedly not as fragile as Achilles, powder blues.

I'll try to keep this thread updated periodically and weigh in on these items.

So here's mine right after QT
 

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Feeding.
He was very shy for almost a full week. He would not emerge from shelter even when no humans were in the room. This is usually ominous and I feared he would not survive QT.
Live brine did get him eating. From there in 1-2 days started on small formula 2 pellets, thrown in with brine. Then alternating feeds with brine over a couple more days. then only pellets He would not touch the large ones initially, then struggled to eat them. Over the course of a few more days eating the large pellets with ease. Mix of formula 2, spectrum and hikari pellets. I have not used nori.
The voracious eater theme seems true. He does not pick at rock at all. So I'm assuming what algae I have is not appealing.
 
I like the in depth documentation of the Fowleri, great insight for anyone thinking about housing this fish.
 
Nice Fowler's! I love mine. It took me three attempts before I got one through full QT. The first two tries, the fish ate okay, looked great then one morning was dead. The first attempt, the fish was from LA and it died on day 12. The second attempt, my friend ordered 3 from a wholesaler (can't remember who) and all three died within two weeks...I had two and lost one on day 9 and one on day 11. His died on day 14. It was very baffling because all fish didn't have any visual cues something was wrong. I determined to give it one last go around and it paid off.

I've had my current one for nearly three years. It has only ground 2-3" over that time. Some day, it will grow into it's tail...kind of like a puppy of a large dog breed with giant paws :). It shares the tank with three other acanthurus...achilles, powder blue and convict. It is by far the most mellow out of the four.

Keep posting updates!
 
Awesome fish and one of my favorites.

I have one in QT right now as well. 3" and eating great. Took flakes from day one. Incredibly skittish though, have to feed and leave the room still even after 10 days. So no pics yet..

A few years back I had a 5-6" one that was a model citizen. They seem to be very mild mannered. Had to sell that one when I shut my systems down and headed overseas, but had been looking for a small one for quite some time since I have been back.
 
I lve mine. He's in an 11' tank with my Gem and Black. Very peaceful. Constant grazer as usual. Typically he is darker and moody except when eating, then he lightens up a lil more.
 
So he's around 4 1/2". The display is 180. So I anticipate 5-6 years before his size might be an issue.

They are indeed skittish. The largest fish in my tank is a foxface, which are notoriously nervous as well. His panic attacks often cause mass hysteria.

Btw Haffs I'm in the Roch area too.
 
Typically he is darker and moody except when eating, then he lightens up a lil more.

So far that seems to be the case with mine. The head is that awesome royal blue, but then lightens up alot to match the light greenish hue of the body, when he's feeding. Going to try to take comparison pics.
 
Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday

One year and going strong. Colors have really intensified.
 

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Great job! Such a beautiful fish. If I ever have a big enough tank, I'd love to have one of these. My tank is a 190g but it's only 60". Maybe one day
 
Looks great. I still have mine. After about a year and a half he's 6-7". He's in with my black, gem and now with a mustard which wasn't there a year ago.
Still the most peaceful out of all tangs I've had. He simply doesn't give a poop about anybody. He's just goes on their merry little way all day long
 
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