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Powder Blue Tang
Acanthurus leucosternon
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Acanthuridae
📍 Indian Ocean Reefs, Maldives to Andaman Sea
One of the most beautiful tangs with a powder-blue body, yellow dorsal fin and black mask. Prone to ich and disease — best for experienced reef keepers.
Care Guide
Diet
Powder Blue Tangs are herbivores that require a diet rich in marine algae and vegetable matter. Feed high-quality herbivore pellets, nori sheets, and spirulina-based foods once daily, supplemented with occasional frozen mysis shrimp or brine shrimp for variety. They will graze on live algae in the tank, which should be encouraged as a natural food source.
Behavior
Powder Blue Tangs are semi-aggressive and territorial, especially toward other tangs and similar-shaped fish. They are active swimmers that patrol all water zones and require ample space to establish territories. They may display aggressive behavior during feeding or when stressed, making them best suited for experienced aquarists.
Breeding
Breeding Powder Blue Tangs in captivity is extremely rare and virtually undocumented in home aquariums. They require specific environmental triggers and large open-water spawning areas that are difficult to replicate. Captive-bred specimens are uncommon; most aquarium fish are wild-caught.
Tank Mates
Similar reef habitat requirements and peaceful temperament; unlikely to compete with tang
Beneficial symbiotic relationship; tang tolerates shrimp for parasite removal
Peaceful invertebrate that occupies different ecological niche; minimal conflict
Herbivorous bottom-dweller with different feeding zone; compatible algae grazer
Both tangs may compete for territory; only in very large tanks (150+ gallons)
Common Diseases
Ich (Marine Ich)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against surfaces, lethargy
Quarantine immediately; raise temperature to 28-29°C, use copper-based treatments or hyposalinity therapy; maintain excellent water quality
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid gill movement, loss of appetite, clamped fins
Quarantine and treat with copper medication or formalin; increase aeration; maintain stable water parameters
Bacterial Infections
Torn fins, open sores, cloudy eyes, behavioral changes, loss of appetite
Improve water quality immediately; use antibiotic medications if severe; maintain pristine tank conditions
Nutritional Deficiency
Faded coloration, weight loss, lethargy, weakened immune response
Provide varied herbivore diet with quality pellets, nori, and spirulina; ensure adequate feeding frequency
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- herbivore
- maxSize
- 9 inches
- salinity
- 1.023–1.025 SG
- minTankSize
- 100 gallons
- temperature
- 75–79°F (24–26°C)
Temperature
75–79°F
24–26°C