{"product_id":"powder-blue-tang","title":"Powder Blue Tang | Acanthurus leucosternon","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Powder Blue Tang is one of the most beautiful of all surgeonfish, with a glowing powder-blue body, jet-black face and bright yellow dorsal fin. It is also one of the most demanding, notoriously prone to disease, so it is an expert-only fish that rewards careful, experienced keepers. It reaches around 23 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcanthurus leucosternon comes from the Indian Ocean, where it grazes algae on clear, well-oxygenated outer reef flats and slopes with strong water movement. In the aquarium it needs vigorous flow, high oxygenation, open swimming room and plenty of live rock for grazing and refuge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe powder-blue body is set off by a black face, a white throat and chin, a vivid yellow dorsal fin and white-edged tail, along with the sharp caudal spine of all tangs. It is a deep-bodied, elegant fish. Because it is so disease-prone, choose only full-bodied, calm, actively feeding specimens with clear skin and no signs of spots or scratching.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and often quite feisty, especially toward other tangs and similarly shaped or coloured fish. Keep only one per tank unless the aquarium is very large, and add tangs together where possible. It mixes with angelfish, wrasse, clownfish, rabbitfish and other robust reef fish that can hold their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a herbivore. Provide plenty of marine algae — dried seaweed (nori) on a clip daily, plus spirulina and herbivore preparations — with some meaty foods such as mysis for variety. Consistent, high-quality vegetable nutrition is essential to support its immune system, colour and weight, and to lower disease risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 475 L, with 700 L or larger recommended for this active swimmer. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. This species has a thin slime coat and is highly susceptible to marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and velvet (Amyloodinium); a thorough quarantine of several weeks and rock-stable, pristine water are essential. Strong flow, high oxygenation and robust filtration round out its care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not practical in home aquariums. Tangs are pelagic spawners with tiny larvae requiring specialised commercial rearing. Focus on a spacious, stable, disease-free system and excellent nutrition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcanthurus leucosternon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePowder Blue Tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndian Ocean outer reef flats and slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpert\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e475 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; marine algae, dried seaweed (nori), spirulina preparations and some meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, stable reef aquariums and FOWLR systems (experienced keepers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution; generally safe with corals if kept well fed, but may nip if underfed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include angelfish, wrasse, clownfish, rabbitfish, larger gobies and other robust reef fish. Avoid other similarly shaped tangs except in very large systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other tangs and surgeonfish in smaller tanks, similarly shaped and coloured fish, and timid species that may be bullied. Never add it to a tank with an active ich or velvet problem.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234128970019,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234129002787,"sku":"AA1462","price":145.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234129035555,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-23cm)","offer_id":55351931961635,"sku":null,"price":190.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Powder_Blue_Tang_Acanthurus_leucosternon_c184a296-2b10-4aa1-9397-952b1a8ebd56.jpg?v=1781681471","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/powder-blue-tang","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}