Powder Blue Tang

About this fish

Powder Blue Tang is a marine aquarium fish sold under the common name “Powder Blue Tang,” with the scientific name Acanthurus leucosternon. In a reef or fish-only marine setup, it’s typically chosen for its grazing behavior on algae and its active swimming presence, making it a popular “tang” addition when kept in a mature tank with appropriate tank size and diet.

Features:

• Marine tang (Acanthurus leucosternon) suited to established saltwater aquariums
• Actively grazes and helps control nuisance algae when provided appropriate plant-based foods
• Active, fast swimmer that benefits from open swimming space and stable water quality
• Generally best kept with proper tank mates to reduce aggression, as many tangs can become territorial
• Usually needs a varied algae/seaweed-based diet to support long-term health
• Often benefits from gradual acclimation and routine feeding to help it settle in after introduction

Specifications:

• Care level: Intermediate (best for established marine systems)
• Temperament: Active; may show territorial/aggressive behavior toward similar fish
• Diet: Herbivorous/omnivorous grazer; algae and seaweed-based foods (e.g., nori/other marine algae), supplemented with a varied diet
• Temperature: About 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity (specific gravity): About 1.020–1.026
• pH: About 8.1–8.4
• Alkalinity: About 7–11 dKH (keep stable)
• Calcium: About 400–450 ppm (if maintaining reef parameters)
• Magnesium: About 1250–1350 ppm (if maintaining reef parameters)