🩵 Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)

The Powder Blue Tang is widely considered one of the most beautiful marine fish, with its powder blue body, black face mask, and yellow dorsal fin. However, it's also one of the most challenging tangs to keep, with extreme disease susceptibility and aggressive tendencies. This is strictly an expert-level fish.

📋 Quick Facts

⚠️ Expert Warning

This is one of the most difficult fish in the hobby.

• Mortality rate in captivity is extremely high
• Ships very poorly - many arrive stressed/sick
• Ich magnet - will get ich if ANY is present in system
• Aggressive toward other tangs and similar-looking fish
• Only attempt after years of experience with other tangs

🏠 Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: 180 gallons absolute minimum; 250+ recommended
• Tank Maturity: At least 1 year established
• Aquascape: Lots of swimming room, strong flow
• Water Quality: Must be pristine - zero tolerance for issues

Water Parameters (Strict)

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

Powder Blues are herbivores that require constant access to algae. Proper diet is critical for survival.

Primary Diet (80%+)

• Nori/Seaweed - Available 24/7, multiple feedings
• Spirulina preparations - High quality
• Fresh macroalgae - Chaeto, Gracilaria, Ulva
• Marine algae sheets - Variety of colors

Supplementary (20%)

• Vitamin-enriched mysis - Occasional
• Quality herbivore pellets
• Frozen algae preparations

Critical Feeding Requirements

• Soak ALL food in vitamins - Selcon, VitaChem, garlic
• Feed 4-5 times daily - Small amounts
• Never let them go hungry - Constant grazing essential
• HLLE is common - Vitamin A and C critical

🐟 Compatibility

Potentially Compatible

• Clownfish
• Most wrasses (added before the tang)
• Anthias
• Gobies, blennies, dartfish
• Dissimilar tang species (very large tanks only)

Avoid

• Other Powder Blue Tangs - Will fight to death
• Similar-looking tangs - Powder Brown, Atlantic Blue
• Other Acanthurus species - High aggression
• Slow, timid fish - Will be bullied

🏥 Health & Quarantine

Mandatory Quarantine Protocol

• Duration: 8-12 weeks minimum
• Treatment: Prophylactic copper (Copper Power or Cupramine)
• Monitor: Daily observation for any signs of disease
• Feeding: Establish eating well before display transfer

Disease Prevention

• UV Sterilizer: Mandatory for display tank
• Quarantine ALL new fish: One infected fish = dead Powder Blue
• Ozone: Consider for added protection
• Stress reduction: Dim lights during acclimation

🛒 Purchasing Tips

• Source carefully: Buy from reputable dealers only
• Observe before buying: Watch for at least 30 minutes
• Eating is essential: Don't buy unless you see it eat
• Avoid thin specimens: Pinched belly = poor prognosis
• Clear eyes and fins: No cloudiness or fraying
• Active and alert: Not hiding in corner

💡 Tips for Success

• Buy from a source that has had the fish 2+ weeks
• Have quarantine system ready BEFORE purchase
• Add to display tank LAST - reduces aggression
• Maintain impeccable water quality
• Feed like your fish's life depends on it (it does)
• Keep stress minimal - avoid sudden changes
• Have backup plan if it doesn't work out

📚 Summary

The Powder Blue Tang is a dream fish that becomes a nightmare for unprepared aquarists. Its legendary beauty comes with legendary difficulty. Success requires an expert-level setup, extended quarantine with copper, pristine water quality, constant feeding, and years of tang-keeping experience. Most that enter the hobby die within months. If you're determined to keep one, prepare extensively, buy carefully, quarantine thoroughly, and maintain perfect conditions. There are no shortcuts with this species.