Powder Blue Tang

Also known as the Powder Blue Surgeonfish or Powder Blue Surgeon.
The Powder Blue Tang is one of the most striking surgeonfish in the marine hobby. It features an iconic powder blue body, deep black face mask and a vivid yellow dorsal fin. Native to shallow reefs of the Indian Ocean, this species is active, highly intelligent and constantly grazing. Although it is slightly more sensitive compared to other tangs, a properly quarantined and conditioned Powder Blue Tang becomes a hardy, vibrant and confident swimmer inside a mature reef aquarium.

Key Features

Scientific Name: Acanthurus leucosternon
Common Names: Powder Blue Tang, Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Adult Size: 8 to 9 inches
Lifespan: 10 years or more with proper care
Temperament: Semi aggressive, especially toward other tangs
Reef Compatibility: Reef safe and does not harm corals or invertebrates
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons 
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Habitat and Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat:
Found across the Indian Ocean in clear shallow reefs, lagoon slopes and coral-rich zones. Feeds constantly on filamentous algae.

Tank Environment:
● Large open swimming space
● Moderate to strong water flow
● Plenty of live rock for grazing
● Stable mature aquarium with at least 6 months of establishment

Water Parameters:
● Temperature: 74 to 82°F
● Salinity: 1.023 to 1.025
● pH: 8.1 to 8.4
● Ammonia and Nitrite: 0 ppm
● Nitrate: under 20 ppm
● Alkalinity: 8 to 12 dKH

Essential Equipment:
● Strong protein skimmer
● High quality biological filtration
● UV sterilizer recommended
● Weekly water changes of 10 to 15 percent

Diet and Feeding

Powder Blue Tangs are strict herbivores that graze throughout the day.

Recommended Foods:
● Nori and seaweed sheets
● Spirulina and algae pellets
● Marine seaweed blends
● Frozen herbivore preparations
● Enriched algae sheets for color enhancement

Feeding Schedule:
● Feed 2 to 3 times each day
● Provide grazing seaweed on clips
● Offer a varied diet to reduce stress and keep immunity strong

Behavior and Compatibility

Temperament:
Can be territorial and may show aggression toward similar tangs such as Acanthurus species. Generally peaceful toward most other fish.

Tank Mates:
● Wrasses, gobies, anthias, fairy wrasses
● Peaceful tang species only in very large tanks
● Avoid other aggressive surgeonfish
● Avoid predatory species

Pairing Behavior:
Best kept singly unless the system is extremely large.

Reef Compatibility

Fully reef safe. Will not bother corals, clams or ornamental invertebrates. Its grazing behavior helps keep nuisance algae under control.

Acclimation and Care Tips

Initial Acclimation:
● Drip acclimation for 45 to 60 minutes
● Float bag 15 to 20 minutes
● Reduce lighting during introduction

Health Considerations:
● Prone to ich, velvet and stress
● Strongly benefits from 2 to 3 weeks of quarantine

Signs of a Healthy Specimen:
● Clear eyes
● Active grazing and swimming
● Strong appetite
● Smooth body with no tearing along fins

Color and Development

Coloration Characteristics:
● Body: Powder blue with smooth gradient hues
● Head: Dark black mask with crisp edges
● Dorsal Fin: Bright yellow
● Caudal Fin: White with black trimming
● Pectoral Fins: Transparent with slight yellow tint

Color Intensity:
● High quality algae based diet supports vivid hues
● Proper lighting improves the contrast between blue and yellow
● Stress or poor water quality may cause temporary paling

Size and Growth:
● Starts at 2 to 4 inches as a juvenile
● Reaches 8 to 9 inches as a fully grown adult

Special Considerations

Quarantine Recommended:
Essential for reducing disease risk and ensuring strong feeding behavior before entering the display tank.

Captive Bred Notes:
Captive bred Powder Blue Tangs are extremely rare. Most are wild collected but adapt well when quarantined and cared for correctly.

Breeding Potential

Breeding Powder Blue Tangs in captivity is extremely rare. They spawn in open water and require very large oceanlike spaces that are difficult to recreate in home aquariums.

Why Choose a Quarantined Powder Blue Tang

A quarantined Powder Blue Tang from Dr. Reef offers smoother acclimation, strong feeding habits and significantly reduced risk of parasites or disease. Its graceful swimming, electric coloration and lively personality make it one of the most beautiful tangs for large reef and FOWLR systems.