Help with Powder Blue tang

[Zach Vs Ponies]

Hello. I understand that this forum is for people who are actually having fish problems at the moment, but I have come here to better understand my knowledge on fish.

A few weeks ago, some random person added me on Facebook. Ending up, it was a company that was selling saltwater fish. They had a picture of a powder blue tang, and I commented on how beautiful it was. Another person commented on the picture of the powder blue and asked this:

"Are these hardy fish? It looks freaking amazing!" (Had to change couple of words from the original person because it had a few curse words)

My advice to this guy was: "They're not recommended for a beginner. They're highly prone to ich. Powder blues are also known as "ich magnents""

So, a few minutes later, the person who posted the photo (The people selling the fish) came on the post and told me to not discuss this fish having ich, and said my post regarding ich was "completely INCORRECT."

So, I was wanting you to look at my comment and tell me if it is correct or incorrect? I've always thought they were highly prone to ich, and this would completely change what I've always thought. Although, I'm having a feeling this place just spied a newbie and wanted to make a sale, completely disregarding the safety of the fish.

Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

 

[rpjaws74]

you are correct my friend very prone to ich and for sure not a beginners fish!!!

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

You are correct that they are very ich-prone. It is critical to quarantine them properly before putting them into a DT, and they require good nutrition (particularly lots of greens), plenty of swimming room, and can be very aggressive to other fish. You are right that a beginner really needs to learn on other fish before moving to fish that are harder to keep.

You appear to have run into a seller that is intent on selling fish to anyone without regard for the welfare of the fish or the buyer.

 

[MrTuskfish]

They are ich prone; but that's very easy to prevent in a QT. they are easy to treat and respond well to copper treatment. Any fish can carry ich into your tank, PBTs happen to be a species that is just a little more likely to catch/carry it. I agree, they are not a beginners fins, or for anyone who really hasn't done enough research to know their needs. The little ones are so gorgeous, that I think they're often "impulse buys'. that usually leads to problems. I sure don't consider them very difficult though; under the right circumstances.

 

[fish042099]

U need a uv sterilizer first

 

[Shells4]

U need a uv sterilizer first

IF everything in your tank is QT properly to begin with, you certainly do not need a UV sterilizer. My powder blue has been in my tank for 1 1/2 years with no problems. It did however go thru both hypo and copper for a total of 12 weeks before being introduced to my system. Everything goes thru QT first--even rocks/corals/inverts. Not ever going thru the ick nightmare again.

 

[MrTuskfish]

U need a uv sterilizer first

UV cannot and will not prevent or cure ich---or any similar parasite.