Powder blue tang primer
- Thread starter BrianD
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Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
Re: Powder blue tang primer
plenty of firsthand experience with PBT's here:
they are aggressive (territorial).
the first one I tried keeping (back in the early 90's) was in my 75 gallon reef aquarium. What a big mistake. It didn't live long and my other fishes were happy it didn't. It was a terror.
My current A leucosternon (PBT) is in my 225 reef aquarium. Powder Blues are usually very aggresssive (territorial) and should be the last Tang introduced. They don't mix well with other Acanthurus species and they might (or might not) take an extreme disliking to any other fish in the aquarium. (For example- mine wants to kill one of my Butterflyfish yet never so much as blinks at my other Butterflyfish.)
Quite honestly, the only reason I have my current PBT is because it was removed from someone elses aquarium where it was beating up a Queen Angelfish. (Queen's are brutes so this should give the reader some idea of this fish's temperment.) Highly oxygenated water (via really good water flow) can help make it easier to maintain this species in a community of fishes by helping to disperse aggression. Rockwork can also help breakup line-of-sight aggressions. QT is strongly suggested (for ALL fishes kept with a PBT) as this species is highly susceptible to cryptocaryon.
Good lighting over the aquarium can provide microalgae growth this species will pick at constantly. The microalgae diet must be supplemented with prepared foods such as nori and small meaty seafoods. Keep 'em plump because a skinny PBT isn't long for this world. Look for a healthy specimen and avoid any questionable looking ones. Not a species for beginners!
plenty of firsthand experience with PBT's here:
they are aggressive (territorial).
the first one I tried keeping (back in the early 90's) was in my 75 gallon reef aquarium. What a big mistake. It didn't live long and my other fishes were happy it didn't. It was a terror.
My current A leucosternon (PBT) is in my 225 reef aquarium. Powder Blues are usually very aggresssive (territorial) and should be the last Tang introduced. They don't mix well with other Acanthurus species and they might (or might not) take an extreme disliking to any other fish in the aquarium. (For example- mine wants to kill one of my Butterflyfish yet never so much as blinks at my other Butterflyfish.)
Quite honestly, the only reason I have my current PBT is because it was removed from someone elses aquarium where it was beating up a Queen Angelfish. (Queen's are brutes so this should give the reader some idea of this fish's temperment.) Highly oxygenated water (via really good water flow) can help make it easier to maintain this species in a community of fishes by helping to disperse aggression. Rockwork can also help breakup line-of-sight aggressions. QT is strongly suggested (for ALL fishes kept with a PBT) as this species is highly susceptible to cryptocaryon.
Good lighting over the aquarium can provide microalgae growth this species will pick at constantly. The microalgae diet must be supplemented with prepared foods such as nori and small meaty seafoods. Keep 'em plump because a skinny PBT isn't long for this world. Look for a healthy specimen and avoid any questionable looking ones. Not a species for beginners!
I've had my PBT for close to a year now. He was just moved a few weeks ago from a 125g to my new 280g (72x30x30) and he loves it. He is by far my most active tang I have, I thought my blonde Naso or Regal would have been. I had 2 MP40W's and 2 K4's in the 125 and have since added a Tunze 6105 in the new tank. It's SPS dominated so I need the flow anyway. Beautiful fish but as others have said they need their swimming space thats for sure.
BigJay
New member
I figured out the problem. The fish paces back and forth after the lights come on when I haven't put nori in the clip yet. It seems to calm down considerably after I add some. The fish is extremely fat, and there is absolutely ZERO danger of starvation. I'll see if I can get a picture.
As for temperment, the fish is docile enough to eat out of my hand, but it will attack my kent algae scraper with a passion. It swims around the rod with all fins flaring, and flashes off of the scraper. Seriously, I don't tease him with it or anything, I'm just trying to clean the film algae near the sand bed and s/he won't let me do it.
Amoore311
New member
Haha. Very good. I've got a couple different animals that will do the little begging dance. It's great that your fish is comfortable enough with you to eat out of your hand. My Powder Blue will not, I've gotten my watchman goby to do it though.
My powder blue will swim over to the algae clip once he sees me pull the Nori out. Then he will swim in circles at that spot and not let anyone in until he has had the first bite.
My bearded dragon will pace the glass back and forth when he sees me open the "bug bin" that I keep his food in.
My powder blue will swim over to the algae clip once he sees me pull the Nori out. Then he will swim in circles at that spot and not let anyone in until he has had the first bite.
My bearded dragon will pace the glass back and forth when he sees me open the "bug bin" that I keep his food in.
aquaph8
Love The Fish
My powder blue is doing great, but all I can get him to eat is nori. I soak it in selcon to add a little nutrition. Is it ok that all he eats is nori? I have tried emerald entre, pellets, flakes, mysis and brine. Does anyone have any suggestions on other foods I could try, or foods that work for you.
thanks
thanks
IFbettas
New member
The first powder blue tang I kept was a real wimp for the time he was in my display. The yellow and sailfin tangs were always above him in the pecking order.
I just got a new 3 inch powder blue from online today. Within half an hour in the tank he was trying to herd up the new butterfly fish and picking at the rocks. He was already eating algae. I have a feeling this guy is going to be a lot more aggressive than the other one.
I just got a new 3 inch powder blue from online today. Within half an hour in the tank he was trying to herd up the new butterfly fish and picking at the rocks. He was already eating algae. I have a feeling this guy is going to be a lot more aggressive than the other one.
OPINION: What would be your opinion on this?
I am setting up a 42 x 42 x 24 sps tank. It will have a lot of open space. The longest distance from corner to corner will be 5'. There will be plenty of rock and feeding of nori, etc. for food supply. i am only thinking of adding one tang.
What is your opinion on stocking a smaller PBT in this tank? The tank will be 180 gallons but not your typical 180 6ft long tank.
I am setting up a 42 x 42 x 24 sps tank. It will have a lot of open space. The longest distance from corner to corner will be 5'. There will be plenty of rock and feeding of nori, etc. for food supply. i am only thinking of adding one tang.
What is your opinion on stocking a smaller PBT in this tank? The tank will be 180 gallons but not your typical 180 6ft long tank.
Amoore311
New member
The added depth should work to your advantage. With only adding 1 tang, it could be very possible.
I would also do a series of island or pillars for the rock structure. That way the fish can really utilize the depth of the tank.
Odd sized tanks tend to be the real gray area in my experience for tangs. Not many people have tanks in the range that you described, so it's hard to get a definitive answer.
I would say you "should" be ok, as long as you keep only the powder blue (tang wise).
You would also, obviously, want him to be the last addition to the tank. This will give the tank time to mature, and will also give you the most success in regards to aggression towards other fish.
I would also do a series of island or pillars for the rock structure. That way the fish can really utilize the depth of the tank.
Odd sized tanks tend to be the real gray area in my experience for tangs. Not many people have tanks in the range that you described, so it's hard to get a definitive answer.
I would say you "should" be ok, as long as you keep only the powder blue (tang wise).
You would also, obviously, want him to be the last addition to the tank. This will give the tank time to mature, and will also give you the most success in regards to aggression towards other fish.
basestring
New member
Hi, I also want to buy a pair of them
I have a 550 Liter tank (145 Gallom) 100CM x 65CM x 80CM
I have some small Damsel fish, 2 clownfish and a big foxface
the small fish can easly hide between the rocks, but I worry about my Foxface.
they are very shy fish as far as I know. I don't want it to die.
It's not about the money, because sea fish here in Beijing is very cheap.
I bought my big foxface for around 10 USD (70 Chinese yuan)
the blue tang cost even cheaper around 7 USD
can someone tell me if they are peaceful together?
Cheers
I have a 550 Liter tank (145 Gallom) 100CM x 65CM x 80CM
I have some small Damsel fish, 2 clownfish and a big foxface
the small fish can easly hide between the rocks, but I worry about my Foxface.
they are very shy fish as far as I know. I don't want it to die.
It's not about the money, because sea fish here in Beijing is very cheap.
I bought my big foxface for around 10 USD (70 Chinese yuan)
the blue tang cost even cheaper around 7 USD
can someone tell me if they are peaceful together?
Cheers
Amoore311
New member
Those dimensions seem a bit small. That tank is only around 3' long I think, if the conversion website I checked was correct:
39.5" x 25.6" x 31.5"
If that is the case I would definitely not try it. A 3' run is not nearly enough space for them. This would lead to a very aggressive Powder Blue, not a good thing for your foxface or any other fish in the tank.
39.5" x 25.6" x 31.5"
If that is the case I would definitely not try it. A 3' run is not nearly enough space for them. This would lead to a very aggressive Powder Blue, not a good thing for your foxface or any other fish in the tank.
