Powder Blue Tang

[Haleyf1024]

I am in the process of upgrading from my little 29 gallon BioCube reef to a 110 DSA tank. I am beginning to think ahead for the fish stock and want a nice, larger tang that is reef safe (not with caution as most on live aquaria are) to be my "show" fish. I wanted one with a ton of color, preferably bright yellow and blue. The PBT fits my image perfectly but I see very conflicting views and opinions on their tank size requirements, from a minimum of 55 gallons (which I know is way inaccurate) to people saying 250 is the min, with everything between. I know most don't grow much larger than 9 inches and my tank is 5 feet long so I personally think he would be okay, but wanted other's opinions on this (mostly people who have owned a Powder Blue Tang). He would be the only fish longer than 4-5 inches in the tank. If anyone could suggest another breed that would fit my requirements, I am all ears! (Or eyes really...lol)

 

[fearyaks]

If I recall, it's more about swimming length, thus a PBT would be better off in a 6+ foot tank. I believe for a 5 foot tank you could go with a Yellow, Chevron, Tomini or Kole.

There's a good sticky thread you should post to 'Please check your intended purchases here first'. You might get better information there.

 

[jason2459]

Yep there's several good stickies to read

Fish primer with the powder blue listed
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1851232

The PBT primer
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1668058

Tank size recommendation by tang
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079

 

[SoloChromis]

Powder blues are very aggressive, and very touchy fish (as I'm sure you already know), but I think a PBT that was acquired healthy, and preferably quarantined would do just fine in your 110g. I've seen it done before with success, and the fact that you don't plan on keeping any other larger fish makes your chances of success with this species that much greater. I have heard from a few sources that the specimens from Sri Lanka tend to acclimate easier, but that may be a load of BS. Some suggestions I would give on the powder blues is to keep them in a tank (especially one on the more modest end of the spectrum) with minimal rock structures obstructing their swimming area, HEAVY flow, and multiple small feedings throughout the day. Keep in mind, these fish are *fat* in the wild (I suggest, as I do for all fish, to look up some footage of them out in the wild for comparison). Most tangs I see in tanks look emaciated and are sometimes only fed pellets once a day. I would even try throwing in a live crop of macro algae in there that he could snack on when he wants, provided he doesn't scarf the whole thing down in one sitting. Good luck, these are one of the most beautiful fish out there, and in my reckoning, your tank size should be fine, at least for a couple years :fish1:

 

[SoloChromis]

P.S. Some other species I would recommend would be...
Convict Tangs - one of, if not *the* most underrated tang/fish in this hobby. Probably the most docile, and one of the hardiest.
Tomini Tangs
Kole Tangs
Yellow/Purple/Scopas Tangs
White Cheek Tangs (like with the PBT, I recommend quarantining this fish)

 

[Haleyf1024]

Thanks everyone! I would be buying him from a very good marine store, so he will have been QT there and trained onto frozen. I would be feeding everyone in the tank different types of seaweed (green, red, and brown) along with a varied diet of frozen food (mysis, brine, krill, shrimp, marine cuisine,...). Do you think he will pick on other fish? My female black oscillaris clown is able to hold her own but the male and my Valentini puffer are on the shyer side...

 

[jason2459]

..., and in my reckoning, your tank size should be fine, at least for a couple years :fish1:

So, basically its not fine in the long run which I hope everyone plans for...

But I'm not one to talk. I have Dori in my 180 as I couldn't tell my wife and kids no when they brought her home after the LFS told them our 180 would be more then big enough. I'm still not thrilled with it.

 

[jason2459]

Thanks everyone! I would be buying him from a very good marine store, so he will have been QT there and trained onto frozen. I would be feeding everyone in the tank different types of seaweed (green, red, and brown) along with a varied diet of frozen food (mysis, brine, krill, shrimp, marine cuisine,...). Do you think he will pick on other fish? My female black oscillaris clown is able to hold her own but the male and my Valentini puffer are on the shyer side...

There's a good chance the PBT will become aggressive in a smaller tank as he gets larger. But you never know for certain until it happens.

I would also not rely on anyone's QT but my own no matter the reputation of the source.

 

[Joe0813]

ehhhh i think thats pushing it. they get really aggressive as is not to mention putting it in only a 110 gallon tank