[cubalz]

Hello all! I am looking into getting a PB Tang for my 90 gal tank. The tank will house a wide variety of corals and perhaps a clam in the future. Already I have about 110 lbs of LR and about 100 lbs LS. Long story short, Is getting a PB a mistake with all of corals and are they really a ich magnet? They are kind of expensive and I don't want anything that will harm the other inhabitants or a fish that will likely die or have parasite problems. I do run a UV sterilizer if that will need to be taken into consideration. I have always wanted one though, I do ant to think this through with all of your help.

[Powder Blue]

I had lots of joy and tears with my Powder. He was the first Tang I bought and was the master of the tank. He did have White Spot in the early days but a treatment of copper sorted him out. He started fairly shy but within a week he cruised the tank and at feeding time would eat out of my fingers. He also was very happy to be groomed by my Cleaner Wrass as many times as possible and would "stand" dead still with all fins extended fully while the cleaner gave him the once over. It was facinating to watch as he would also change colour to suit his mood. At feeding he would turn almost purple with a pitch black head and aggresivly wolf any morsel of food down like no tomorrow. For a cleaning session he would go pale so that I could almost see through him.

The trouble started when I decided to add another surgeon. He hunted down my Blue Tang for an hour and hated him.I eventually isolated him in a QT tank for a few hours, shuffled the rocks and tried again. No joy, he pushed the Blue into every possible corner he could and did not tolerate him. He sadly had to go. Please read my post and replies on Powder vs Regal.

I have since giving my Powder away, got a Yellow Tang and a Morish Idol and they get on very well. They feed, swim and get cleaned togeather and a joy to watch. I would suggest that if you want a Powder get one by all means but don't ever add another Surgeon or there may be problems. I had the same problem when I added a Buttefly. My Powder hated him and tormented him for 2 hrs before he realised he was not a threat. After 2hrs they didn't bother each other again. I would say in my limited experience that the Powder is the most aggressive Surgeon, but a lovely animal and a pleasure to study. My LFS said that he would not survive and was a white spot factory but I only had a problem at the start and I would say he turned out rather tough. He went through 3 tanks and saw many other fish come and go. At the moment I have a white spot problem with my Regal Tang who seems to be much more sensitive to the dreaded parasite than the Powder ever was. Even my Morish seems to be more resistant to the infection than the Regal.

Please understand I am new at this hobby and many more experienced guys may quite rightly disagree with my comments.

My Powder was the first fish I got hence my handle. They are common here where I stay on our local reef and can be caught easily when the tide is low and the water is clear. Im very lucky to have that.

Regards
Sam

[Reefland]

The Acanthurus leucosternon is a very beautiful fish but should be considered more difficult than other tangs such as the Yellow, Regal or even the Purple Tang. They should only be added to a mature aquarium and the selection process should be very slow. Make sure you get one locally that you can observe for a week or so (most LFS will hold a fish for you with a deposit) to make sure it is healthy and eating a varied diet.

Scott Z.

[cubalz]

Originally Posted by Reefland

The Acanthurus leucosternon is a very beautiful fish but should be considered more difficult than other tangs such as the Yellow, Regal or even the Purple Tang. They should only be added to a mature aquarium and the selection process should be very slow. Make sure you get one locally that you can observe for a week or so (most LFS will hold a fish for you with a deposit) to make sure it is healthy and eating a varied diet.

Scott Z.

Thanks Scott! I thought that too. I have a local store that is holding one for me that they have had for over a week. I have been going in at lunchtime every other day to check its eating habits and coloration, all seems well so far but I am still a little hesitant until the 2 weeks are up.

[Reefland]

That's a good approach to take. Give it some time and if you've paid a little deposit, they should be willing to hold it for as long as you want them too.

[kevinpo]

One other note to add to the above. They should be your last large fish added because of their tendency to be aggressive. Also a 90 gal tank is a bit small for this fish if it is 4' long, a 6' tank is much better suited. It is not nearly as aggressive as some of the other members of its family but can be a bully if placed in too small of an aquarium or towards newcomers.

HTH,
Kevin

[Powder Blue]

I would agree. My Powder was in a 4ft and needed more space even though he was a juvenile. Is definitly a bully, he will hassel any new member of the same shape or size untill the threat if any is established.