ScubaPrawn
New member
Anyone have experience raising small PBTs? Their colors aren't as rich...the blue almost looks like a chalky blue. Do all PBTs get that rich dark blue color as they grow?
Powder blue tang primer
- Thread starter BrianD
- Start date
Recty
New member
Just thought I'd share a couple pictures of what I consider a healthy, if not slightly obese, powder blue. This guy was quarantined in a 29g tank for 6 weeks, treated with copper and two treatments of prazipro.
Obviously getting a healthy to begin with specimen helps, but then taking care of them afterwards goes a long way towards making them a hardy fish. I've had literally zero problems with mine. I did a tank move a month or two ago in which I lost two tangs and this guy never even flinched. Of all the tangs I have, it's the one that is considered the most finicky so I would have thought it would be the one to have issues during the move.
I feed NLS pellets, 1mm and 3mm, also NLS flakes. I also feed Ocean Nutrition 1 and 2, flakes and pellets plus Ocean Nutrition Reef flakes or whatever those are called... Reef Nutrition maybe. I feed about 3 sheets of nori a week, around 6" x 6" in size. I used to feed mysis but I havent done that for at least 2 months.
Obviously getting a healthy to begin with specimen helps, but then taking care of them afterwards goes a long way towards making them a hardy fish. I've had literally zero problems with mine. I did a tank move a month or two ago in which I lost two tangs and this guy never even flinched. Of all the tangs I have, it's the one that is considered the most finicky so I would have thought it would be the one to have issues during the move.
I feed NLS pellets, 1mm and 3mm, also NLS flakes. I also feed Ocean Nutrition 1 and 2, flakes and pellets plus Ocean Nutrition Reef flakes or whatever those are called... Reef Nutrition maybe. I feed about 3 sheets of nori a week, around 6" x 6" in size. I used to feed mysis but I havent done that for at least 2 months.
Last edited:
Reeftanks6
Active member
I totally agree with you jbanks! That is one beautiful fish
Finsky
New member
My powder blue loves the 3,250 gph Hydor 8's which are on each end of my five foot 125 gallon tank. I had a tank crash(the details of which I will not go into) a year ago in my five year plus old tank and lost most of the fish including a 5" powder blue I had for 3 1/2 years. He got along with other tangs although he did not like new fish.
I replaced him with a five inch powder blue six months ago from Dr. Foster and Smith and he seems a bit milder in temperament. I cut my sea weed with scissors into bite size pieces so it can be sprinkled like flake food. My powder blue tang has a smaller mouth and likes to take these pieces soaked in Selcon, Vita-Chem, and Brightwell Vitamin C.
I also feed the tank freeze dried mysis, brine, bloodworms, along with flakes soaked in the vitamins.
Drs. Foster and Smith recommends a 125 gallon for a powder blue tang?
Of course we want to go with the majority and never deviate from the collective knowledge present here.
Ever hear of a hampster wheel??????????????????????
I replaced him with a five inch powder blue six months ago from Dr. Foster and Smith and he seems a bit milder in temperament. I cut my sea weed with scissors into bite size pieces so it can be sprinkled like flake food. My powder blue tang has a smaller mouth and likes to take these pieces soaked in Selcon, Vita-Chem, and Brightwell Vitamin C.
I also feed the tank freeze dried mysis, brine, bloodworms, along with flakes soaked in the vitamins.
Drs. Foster and Smith recommends a 125 gallon for a powder blue tang?
Of course we want to go with the majority and never deviate from the collective knowledge present here.
Ever hear of a hampster wheel??????????????????????
Finsky
New member
Last edited:
MIKE NY
Two Decade club
good to read Jonathan...thats a very good sign. I've had mine about 12-13 years now and I'm amazed every time I see a tank with other tangs with it...mine won't allow me to keep any other tang even when I remove it for a few weeks and return it...after a few days the fin flaring and chasing begins...
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
geaux xman
New member
seems like the PBT max out about 6" in the home aquarium?
i see a lot of folks mentioning they had theirs for years and it is usually in the 5-6" range.
i see a lot of folks mentioning they had theirs for years and it is usually in the 5-6" range.
How is this guy doing? Looking at his chin, he looks really skinny.
How long did it take for your PBT's to fatten up?
I've had mine for 14 days now, he's been eating PE mysis soaked in Selcon (feed several times throughout the day) and also snacks on red gracilaria algae on a clip. He's not too fond of Nori yet, but I still offer it everday.
His belly looks like it swallowed a marble, but his vertebrae still shows. Just wondering how long it took for your PBT to fill out.
I've had mine for 14 days now, he's been eating PE mysis soaked in Selcon (feed several times throughout the day) and also snacks on red gracilaria algae on a clip. He's not too fond of Nori yet, but I still offer it everday.
His belly looks like it swallowed a marble, but his vertebrae still shows. Just wondering how long it took for your PBT to fill out.
RealReef7
New member
My pbt tang is in good shape, had him for about 2 weeks now. The only problem is, i think he's blind.. he can only capture food when its nearly infront of his face. I don't think he's going to last long... with the competition for food. If he goes, i plan on trying another one, but what size is best? Right now hes 2.5"-3". Whats a good source? my lfs orders from sea dwelling creatures in cali.
Dr Colliebreath
New member
Try getting one from Live Aquaria or from a lfs that buys from Quality Marine.
I prefer to start with small fish. 2.5-3" sounds right.
You should quarantine fish before putting them in your display tank so they can learn to eat the food you provide without competition from established tankmates. Also, pbts are highly susceptible to ich and you don't want that in your dt.
What food are you feeding? Try frozen spirulina-enhanced brine shrimp and mysis. Try soaking the food in garlic extract or Selcon to help the pbt find the food easier.
I prefer to start with small fish. 2.5-3" sounds right.
You should quarantine fish before putting them in your display tank so they can learn to eat the food you provide without competition from established tankmates. Also, pbts are highly susceptible to ich and you don't want that in your dt.
What food are you feeding? Try frozen spirulina-enhanced brine shrimp and mysis. Try soaking the food in garlic extract or Selcon to help the pbt find the food easier.
McLoki
New member
I have had my powder blue for about a month. (had my last one for about a year and a half before a tank mishap (twice) while I was on vacation caused its demise).
Anyway - in a 180 gallon aquarium with an equally sized 4" purple tang, a 6" sailfin, 3" copperbanded butterfly, 2" blonde naso, 2.5" foxface, 2" flame angel and few other small fish. (all the rest under 2")
all seem to get along really well. (the purple bullied him for a few days, but all seem fine with each other now) He did not eat super well at first (only picked at the rocks and some time at the veggie clip) but is now eating very well his favorite being formula 2 pellets.
Here is a picture:
Anyway - in a 180 gallon aquarium with an equally sized 4" purple tang, a 6" sailfin, 3" copperbanded butterfly, 2" blonde naso, 2.5" foxface, 2" flame angel and few other small fish. (all the rest under 2")
all seem to get along really well. (the purple bullied him for a few days, but all seem fine with each other now) He did not eat super well at first (only picked at the rocks and some time at the veggie clip) but is now eating very well his favorite being formula 2 pellets.
Here is a picture:
