Experiences with Powder Blue Tangs?

[sarai826]

I'd like to hear about anyone's experiences with Powder Blue tangs. I think they're beautiful animals, and would like to try my hand at keeping one (105g with a refugium), but know they can be difficult to keep and don't want to get one only to kill it. For anyone out there who's had one:
- How long have you had yours?
- If you've kept one long term, what do you think was the key(s) to your success?
- If you've lost one, what do you think contributed to the loss?
- What factor(s) do you consider most important in safely keep a powder blue?

Thanks in advance!

 

[NexDog]

I've only had one for 6 weeks. Just went through QT with hypo and is now in the main display. They are very sensitive to quality I think. I lost one a few months ago when water quality in my QT went bad. That's all the input I have at the moment except it's one of my favourite three tangs (with the yellow and clown).

 

[cristhiam]

Yes make sure you QT I got one and I din't QT, nuke my entire tank with ich lost all the fish

 

[jda]

I have had 3 in the last few years.

I lost 2 of them to bigger tanks b/c they grew up.

Mine never got ich and never were agressive. They were in a 210G (7x2x2) with other tangs, triggers and angels.

The one that I have now was a skinny 2" specimin from a local reefer when he tore down his tank. He as super-agressive for him and a real wuss for me.

My key to them is food, rock and room. Everybody preaches on hiding places and swimming room, so I will focus on food. My theory with tangs is that if you feed them enough for them to grow, they will be less agressive. Abundant food is another need met. If they are not growing 1-2" per year, when they are small, then you are not feeding them enough. Mine eat forumla II pellets and flake and lots of meat.

The issue with lots of food is that it can pollute a reef tank. Therefore, I think that some of these fish, even though reef safe, belong in FO tanks where their proper feeding will not kill coral with N and P.

Oh, I keep the water in the FOWLR near reef quality. I believe that helps too.

 

[leebca]

I've had about 18 of them over the years.

I quarantine all before going into my aquarium AND I treat all with copper, since most have either Marine Ich or Marine Velvet (or both). I use this quarantine process:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.htm

Success is the best water quality; best environment and; best diet. Diet and feeding guidelines are given here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=785228

I loose them to old age.

Factors? See the above.

 

[achillesheel]

mine was terribly aggressive. i had to give him to my lfs b/c he was constantly picking on my black longnose tang and was beginning to harass my regal angel. i had him in my 125 and made the move to my 180. i had him about a year. always very healthy. water quality always an issue with every fish. i always overfeed my fish and overskim. dont forget lots of algae.

 

[achillesheel]

oh. the lfs found him a home in a 500g tank and he immediately started picking on the 3 yellow tangs already in the tank. some are just like that i guess

 

[Psionicdragon]

They are beautiful fishes, but a huge ick magnet.

Out of the 5 fishs I QT with coppersafe, the PBT is the only one as of yet that has ick on it.

 

[jda]

None of the ones that I had have ever gotten ich or marine velvet.

 

[jjmatti]

My Powder blue is one of my favorite fish. I got mine about a year ago from a online retailer for a great price. He took a few days to start eating but never showed any signs of problems or ich. IMO it all has to do with the tank you keep them. They seem to do best when they have plenty of room to swim back and forth.