Powder brown or blue?

sbeason

Active member
Which one would you guys recommend and why?

I currently have 3 yellow tangs and an emporer angel in the 210. Looking to add either of the subject line fish.

Thanks, Steve
 
Working at a fish store, I've seen and worked with many different individuals of both. IMO, powder browns are way cooler. Blues seem to be a lot finickier with their food than the browns. The browns I've noticed, as a whole, seem to have a LOT more personality, while the blues are generally more on the shy side.

Just from my experience. Of course, every case is different.
 
I have 2 PBT(in separate tanks). Got them from LA and ate pellets right out the bag. Treated with cupramine without issue too. Both pretty tame and does not bother any other fish. I've seen others claiming their PBT to be very aggressive though, so maybe I'm lucky.

I've had a powder brown before too. Both very nice fish. Get the one that excites you.

I find PBT to max out around 6" in the home aquarium. Powder browns ~5".
 
Blue.
the yellow fin up against the soft powder body is awesome. Plus i think most of us stive for more color in our tanks. Blue is one of those colors that eludes most of us compared to browns. I know my tank is green, orange and purple dominant, so having a nice soft blue cruising around set off the softer tones.
 
I forgot to add: If you go the powder brown route, be sure you research the fish and are certain you're getting the species you want. There are 2 species that are often called 'powder brown" tangs and one is much easier than the other. To further complicate it; different sources mix the two up as well. I think L.A. has them right. I'm too rushed (lazy) right now to check.
 
Blue.
the yellow fin up against the soft powder body is awesome. Plus i think most of us stive for more color in our tanks. Blue is one of those colors that eludes most of us compared to browns. I know my tank is green, orange and purple dominant, so having a nice soft blue cruising around set off the softer tones.

+1 Mine always puts a smile on my face every time I see her. Here are a couple of pics (under different lighting):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4514&pictureid=31904

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=6388&pictureid=43960
 
I prefer the blue. Whichever you get, it should be the last fish in the tank if possible as they tend to become very territorial and intolerant of subsequently added fish.
 
From a view of beauty, I prefer the P-Blue.
I tried 8 times on this fish, just like the P-Brown, P-Blue are very sensitive to ich.
Acclimation is a crucial procedure but stress will cause ich re-appear after the fish introduced into the display tank(especially reef tank with liverocks).
P-Blue is more aggressive to other fish especially tangs. Brown will typically fight with fish with similar size and shape but my blue(3~4inch) will attack even adult Pomacanthus imperator(10 inch)
 
Your better off with the powder brown imo. Having sold blues and browns, the browns seem to be "easier" to keep. You will get a different opinion from every person. Get what you want and decide for yourself. Experience is the best teacher....

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2
 
I forgot to add: If you go the powder brown route, be sure you research the fish and are certain you're getting the species you want. There are 2 species that are often called 'powder brown" tangs and one is much easier than the other. To further complicate it; different sources mix the two up as well. I think L.A. has them right. I'm too rushed (lazy) right now to check.

If you mean Acanthurus nigricans by the other species, then I must say that one has to be either poor sighted or half minded to mix them up :lol:
I ABSOLUTELY would get the nigricans over the japonicus...

At the moment I have one japonicus in my tank. Must say, that I don't care that much for it... Anyway, it isn't staying. It's a rescue case that has found a new home already, if only I could catch him :deadhorse1:

I used to have a leucosternon before my fiancé found it on the floor. It had commited a hardwood surfing suicide at night. I loved that fish...
It was so well bahaved and nice fish, beautiful as **** and overall wonderful animal. This new japonicus has nothing on him...

If you want to get really special, then get the Acanthurus cf. leucosternon, or a hybrid one ;)
 
Just added a powder blue to my reef. Had him one week today. Eating Mysis and green seaweed from the clip. Very nice fish. So far things seem to be going well. Keep my fingers crossed. This fish adds so much colour and movement to the tank.
 
Just remember, that this colorful pretty fish can get really nasty killer mode just like that.
One day you have this lovely pony faced fish, and SNAP!, it's killing your Flame angel or what not...
Compared to... say a Sohal, this is a killer! Some "aggressive" tangs are sure aggressive occasionally, but when leuco gets in the mood it doesn't stop. It keeps on battering the other fish till it is dead. I know some PBT's that have killer Clown tangs their size! And Clowns are considered to be nasty.
 
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