Powder Blue Question

[Carz]

So I am thinking of adding a PBT to my 125. He would be the only fish in the tank for now. I moved the other fish to my 75 and gave some to friends. I wanted this tank to house mainly corals and thought of finally getting a PBT. I have read so much on them and I dont want to regret this. Are they really that hard to care for? What can I feed them to ensure a healthy diet? I will admit I am not a big fan of frozen foods. I have a yellow and blue tang in my other tank and they seem easily cared for. I may add a few other fish in the future but nothing for the PBT to be concerned about. I was thinking maybe adding my yellow and a pair of clowns. My LFS told me to stay away from these jerks, prepare to get ich and so on. I can be happy with my yellow and blue but never had the PBT.

 

[tdileo]

If it is QTed and ensured free of ich, they are not hard to keep. I would suggest feeding frozen feed not just for this specifically because in general they are very good for your fish as well as corals. Just like humans, a good variety in diet is important for these animals.
However, acanthurus sp. like the powder blue are very active and a full grown one may be low on swimming room in a 6 foot tank. I do consider them one of the more aggressive tangs as well so I would say to choose between him and the hippo tang as it’s likely they could end up fighting due to the similar colors.

 

[Carz]

I always put in QT first. Got burnt years ago. I have no problem giving frozen food if needed. I am guessing to not consider adding the blue tang to this tank as well.

 

[Eva Rose]

Powder blues are best added last. They can give other fish, not just tangs, grief. You would want to QT ALL fish additions to the tank. Decide which fish for your 125 g tank. Then submit your stocking list. Add the PBT last. With a PBT, I would have it as the only tang in that size tank.
Read @4FordFamily 's article on Tangs for insight. He is a tang expert. He could make suggestions on what to stock before the PBT .
As far as food goes nori keeps tangs happy. Frozen is fine, but nori is their staple. They like pecking it off the nori clip.

 

[nereefpat]

It probably won't tolerate a yellow tang added later.

Make sure it's eating well, then put it through tank transfer method.

The tank is on the smaller size, so leave plenty of swimming room, and have lots of flow

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

a. Heed the warnings that PBT are mean, very mean. After a couple months you can forget about adding another large fish, certainly not a tang.

b. if you don't QT, don't even try.

c. buy the fish from somewhere with a warranty.

 

[Carz]

I normally do 4 weeks in QT with copper. Does that sound good for this guy??

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Do you have access to chloroquine phosphate? If so I find that much milder on tangs. PBT are super aggressive. I would recommend adding him last, they chase everything and are fearless.

 

[Carz]

I can get it. Adding him last would work out better. I have some fish to rotate and only want to add 1 fish every 2 weeks so this would be a bit easier for me.

 

[4FordFamily]

Chelated copper works phenomenally for acanthurus tangs. If quarantined they are hardy, but NASTY additions.

I generally don’t recommend a PBT for a tank smaller than 150 or 180 but as a sole tang it would be OK for some time, a few years probably, perhaps longer.

 

[reefes pieces]

My favorite fish by far. I've had success and IMO they are aggressive but hit or miss on them being straight ******s. I had success picking them up when they're about 2ish inches in size. Good diet is a must with these fish and I fed my PBT Nori daily. Like others mentioned, QT is a must. Look for one that's eating, good energy (actively hunting/grazing), and good coloring. They're not all that hard to keep when the proper steps are taken.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

I can understand why you want a PBT. They are beautiful.

Definitely add the PBT last. I have a scopas and a Blue lipped bristletooth that share a 180g with mine and it is working out, but the PBT went in last and was the smaller of the three. It loves nori and I add it daily. Mine also loves mastik. I feed my fish 3-4 times a day and my PBT is now bigger then the scopas. They grow fast and usually become the tank boss. I was nervous about trying one, but honestly havent had any trouble at all with mine. Heed the advice given here and you should do fine. I have always heard PBT from the Maldives are the best.

 

[Aquavaj]

I'm struggling to get mine to eat in QT. So far it has refused everything, even nori soaked with garlic or selcon. It looked miserable in the 20g QT but looks more comfortable in a 40 that I'm in the process of breaking down. Atleast it's picking at the rocks and sand and not pacing back and forth on one side of the tank. Still can't confirm if it's eating any of the food I'm feeding though.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

I'm struggling to get mine to eat in QT. So far it has refused everything, even nori soaked with garlic or selcon. It looked miserable in the 20g QT but looks more comfortable in a 40 that I'm in the process of breaking down. Atleast it's picking at the rocks and sand and not pacing back and forth on one side of the tank. Still can't confirm if it's eating any of the food I'm feeding though.

I would keep trying with the nori. Offer different types red, green, brown, ect. Also have you tried mastick? It is definitely worth a shot. How does your fish look? Hopefully you can find something it will eat. I would try some live shrimp also. The 40 is much better for qt. Maybe you can cycle in some live rock that has some algae growing on it.