Re: Does anyone own a Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus) ?
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
Look to add this fish to a 100gal Reef tank currently stocked with cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, 2 ocellaris clowns, and a dragon goby. the tank is two months old and showing good to great parameters. I have good flow prvided by a mag 9 return pump and 2 tunze 6101's.
That's a lot of flow, and this tang would very much appreciate it.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
my questions are:
how hardy is this fish in your experience?
Not very.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
do they take to most prepared foods?
Yes.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
I understand they are semi aggressive and reef compatible with caution. what should I be careful about?
Hmmm... I've never heard of them eating corals or sessile invertebrates. If not properly fed or housed, they may pick or become destructive, but that is the case for most fish. I'm not sure what the mean by reef safe with caution...
They are said to be less aggressive than the powder blue, which can become an absolute terror, so I don't know. Mine was well behaved, but I never added any fish afterwards.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
can they live peacefully with other tangs of different species?
Yes, but standard tang rules for compatibility apply.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
do their colors vary from juvenile to adult?
No. Colors will vary based on mood and health, though.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
are there any other special requirements?
Quarantine is probably a must.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
would you recommend a different tang? and why?
Yes.
A 100gal is too small for long-term success with this fish. He would be fine for a while, but he would eventually need a new home. Tangs do grow, and they grow quickly.
They are remarkably beautiful fish, and I understand the allure, but I generally don't recommend the powder blue, powder brown, achilles, gold rim, or white cheek tangs to anyone unless they are specifically set up to meet their needs. There are other, hardier tangs with better reported temperaments.
Each fish is an individual, though.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170746#post14170746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerm77
thanks for reading.
I hope this helps.
Matt