Example of a Acanthurus leucosternon ( Powder Blue )
The ever elusive powder blue, we have always loved for its stunning colors beautiful detail but have feared for many years due to its sensitivity and rather dismal survival rate. Its clear to see what attracts many to this species but there are so many out there who have attempted keeping one but vow never to try again. I hope to give some insight into successfully keeping the stunning Powder Blue.
My first opinion of this species is that it is one best kept in a fish only tank if it is your first attempt at keeping one. There are many reefers who have successfully kept this species in a reeftank from the first day and the first species attempt but for the majority this is not the case. The reason for this has largely got to do with the fishes extreemly poor slime coat and the salinaty of your water. Unfortunately the Powder Blue is extreemly sensitive and add to this the fact that it has one of the least effective slime coats of most aquarium fish and for these reasons it is prone to white spot outbreaks of extreme proportions. And this is where one should ideally be able to optimize the water chemistry to assist the fish in dealing with parasites. Running a lower salinaty of aprox 1015 - 1020 will help the fish with regards to parasites and also running a highish DKH of 12+ will also boost the fishes immune system further assisting it, now this is not suggested in a reef tank as the corals will be negatively effected under these conditions. But in all honesty this is not a fish to just go out and get one, you need to prepare you tank in advance if you intend keeping this species by doing what is suggested above if you have a fish only tank or if you have a reeftank then you will need to monitor your water conditions for at least 6 weeks prior and you should have steady stable conditions throughout this period, then still hope and pray. That all said once you have weened a Powder Blue though the first 6 months and it has settled you should have a very strong fish for many years to come.
Only select this species from a store which is able to handle the fish appropriately or from one which you have trust in. Make sure that the fish is not overly nervous when you approach the holding tank and it should show no hesitation to feed preferably on nori or a veg/spirulina flake or pellet.
A healthy powder blue is a monster eater they will also eat just about anything but you should be giving it much more veg in proportion to protein. Although the powder blue feeds exlusively on algea in the wild they very often consume many pods and other forms of protein attached to the algea so it is important to give them both.
Unfortunately along with this fish also comes a fairly bad attitude and it can be a real aggressor in some cases. And the general rule is that only one is kept in a single tank but there is the exception, I myself have two Powder Blues in my tank but their sizes were specifically chosen for this. But in general you should also avoid other tangs such as the Acanthurus Achilles and Acanthurus Japonicus or any hybrids of these species.
The Powder Blue is also a extremely active fish and needs plenty of free swimming space. They are also very effective at algea control and will graze the whole day through running around the tank nipping at algea every few seconds.
Allround this is one of the most loved and stunning fish available but dont be in a rush to go and get one. First prepare your self for the challenge and make sure you have enough time to contribute to keeping this species healthy and thriving.
Trev
The ever elusive powder blue, we have always loved for its stunning colors beautiful detail but have feared for many years due to its sensitivity and rather dismal survival rate. Its clear to see what attracts many to this species but there are so many out there who have attempted keeping one but vow never to try again. I hope to give some insight into successfully keeping the stunning Powder Blue.
My first opinion of this species is that it is one best kept in a fish only tank if it is your first attempt at keeping one. There are many reefers who have successfully kept this species in a reeftank from the first day and the first species attempt but for the majority this is not the case. The reason for this has largely got to do with the fishes extreemly poor slime coat and the salinaty of your water. Unfortunately the Powder Blue is extreemly sensitive and add to this the fact that it has one of the least effective slime coats of most aquarium fish and for these reasons it is prone to white spot outbreaks of extreme proportions. And this is where one should ideally be able to optimize the water chemistry to assist the fish in dealing with parasites. Running a lower salinaty of aprox 1015 - 1020 will help the fish with regards to parasites and also running a highish DKH of 12+ will also boost the fishes immune system further assisting it, now this is not suggested in a reef tank as the corals will be negatively effected under these conditions. But in all honesty this is not a fish to just go out and get one, you need to prepare you tank in advance if you intend keeping this species by doing what is suggested above if you have a fish only tank or if you have a reeftank then you will need to monitor your water conditions for at least 6 weeks prior and you should have steady stable conditions throughout this period, then still hope and pray. That all said once you have weened a Powder Blue though the first 6 months and it has settled you should have a very strong fish for many years to come.
Only select this species from a store which is able to handle the fish appropriately or from one which you have trust in. Make sure that the fish is not overly nervous when you approach the holding tank and it should show no hesitation to feed preferably on nori or a veg/spirulina flake or pellet.
A healthy powder blue is a monster eater they will also eat just about anything but you should be giving it much more veg in proportion to protein. Although the powder blue feeds exlusively on algea in the wild they very often consume many pods and other forms of protein attached to the algea so it is important to give them both.
Unfortunately along with this fish also comes a fairly bad attitude and it can be a real aggressor in some cases. And the general rule is that only one is kept in a single tank but there is the exception, I myself have two Powder Blues in my tank but their sizes were specifically chosen for this. But in general you should also avoid other tangs such as the Acanthurus Achilles and Acanthurus Japonicus or any hybrids of these species.
The Powder Blue is also a extremely active fish and needs plenty of free swimming space. They are also very effective at algea control and will graze the whole day through running around the tank nipping at algea every few seconds.
Allround this is one of the most loved and stunning fish available but dont be in a rush to go and get one. First prepare your self for the challenge and make sure you have enough time to contribute to keeping this species healthy and thriving.
Trev
good write up 