From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Powder Blue Tang
Acanthurus leucosternon
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- Salinity
- 1.02 – 1.026 SG
- Min. tank size
- 400 L
- Lifespan
- 8-15 years
- Diet
- herbivore
- Care level
- expert
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Acanthurus leucosternon |
| Family: | Acanthuridae |
| Origin: | Indian Ocean reefs |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | expert |
| Diet: | herbivore |
| Max Size: | 23.00 cm |
| Water Type: | marine |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Reef Safe: | Reef Safe |
| Temperament: | aggressive |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains — this is a wild-caught fish from the Indian Ocean, and the colouring is consistent across the range. Its type locality is Sri Lanka, and most trade fish come from the Indian Ocean and the Maldives. The genus Acanthurus contains a number of similar surgeonfish, several of which are traded and none of which should be kept alongside this one: A. achilles, the Achilles tang; A. nigricans, the whitecheek tang; A. japonicus, the powder brown or white-faced tang, which is frequently confused with this species and is considerably hardier; and A. lineatus, the lined surgeonfish. Anyone drawn to the powder blue but wary of its reputation should look at A. japonicus first — it is similar in appearance, far less ich-prone and far more forgiving. |
| Lifespan: | 8-15 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:High
- Min Tank:400 L
- Substrate:Live rock with caves; open swimming space
- Plant Safe:Yes
- Filtration:High (strong flow; pristine water)
Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon) is a species of fish in the family Acanthuridae. It is native to Indian Ocean reefs. The powder blue tang is one of the most beautiful surgeonfish and one of the two or three most difficult to keep alive. It is a striking animal: a powder-blue body, a black face, a white chest — the name comes from the Greek leukos and sternon, "white breast" — and a bright yellow dorsal fin. It is also very prone to Cryptocaryon irritans, the marine ich parasite, and that susceptibility is the single fact that decides most attempts. Quarantine is not optional with this species. It is territorial and aggressive toward other surgeonfish, though typically solitary in the wild. It reaches 23 cm and comes from the Indian Ocean, with Sri Lanka as its type locality.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- aggressive
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
- Reef
- Reef Safe
Species similar to Powder Blue Tang
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