Powder brown tang

Aaronreef · Jun 20, 2020

Hi.

I'm looking to get a powder brown tang.
I've read alot about them being ich magnet's but I've also read most tangs are ?
Is it worth the risk are they really that bad?
Anyone have one what's your opinion

... · Jun 20, 2020

Aaronreef said:
Hi.

I'm looking to get a powder brown tang.
I've read alot about them being ich magnet's but I've also read most tangs are ?
Is it worth the risk are they really that bad?
Anyone have one what's your opinion

How big is your tank?

Aaronreef · Jun 20, 2020

My tank is
59"L
37"W
34"H

Currently have a purple tang also about 3"

... · Jun 20, 2020

Aaronreef said:
My tank is
59"L
37"W
34"H

Currently have a purple tang also about 3"

Is your tank around 350 Gallons? If it is, I'd say a powder brown is fine but they can be a bit aggressive and anything you add after them will be bullied.

Aaronreef · Jun 20, 2020

It's 1000L about 260 gallons

Probably best to leave it then?

Gablami · Jun 20, 2020

Size wise you can have a powder brown. Yes your tank is not as long as some would like for that tang. And yes, you do already have an established purple, but if that’s your only other tang, it’s hard to imagine the tang police would have a strong case.

But you’re right about the other issue. They are ich magnets, more so than other tangs. Before I went fallow and got strict about QT, my Achilles would be the one to show ich first. It’s a complicated question whether to introduce. Have you seen ich spots on other fish in your tank at one point or another? If so, I think it’s a good bet that your powder brown will show it. Whether it can beat it depends on your husbandry (and whether you want to see that periodically with stress).

If you go for it, let us know how it goes.

Aaronreef · Jun 20, 2020

I QT all livestock, I've not had any ich as of yet (fingers crossed)

They are beautiful looking fish I'm so tempted to get one but that's my heart ruling my head.
If I was to end up getting one and had an outbreak of ich I'd struggle to catch and treat them.

I'd like to think my husbandry is good, 10% water changes weekly parameters stable my nutrients are lower than I'd like, nitrate 5-10 phosphate 0.03, I'm struggling a little with dinoflagellate and diatoms I have more diatoms than dinoflagellate though

I suppose everything in this hobby is a gamble, if the powder brown is happy and I'm sure it will be I guess there is less risk of ich

Ike · Jun 20, 2020

Acanthurus in general seem to be more susceptible and/or get hit harder with ich. I wouldn't say the powder brown is any worse than achilles, powder blue, gold rim, and any number of others. If you QT and don't have any signs of having ich currently I'd say go for it. If you just want hardier fish, then stick to other genus of tangs (not P. hepatus), and in particular Zebrasoma.

Aaronreef · Jun 20, 2020

I'd love an Achilles ! But can't justify that sort of price tag.

The powder brown I'm looking at in my LFS says it's "powder brown/gold rim" are they two different fish?

I must admit if I could find a gem tang zebrasoma gemmatum I'd have that over the powder brown, I love the look of the powder bit there is something about the gem that I really like ( also couldn't afford one)

Ike · Jun 20, 2020

Aaronreef said:
I'd love an Achilles ! But can't justify that sort of price tag.

The powder brown I'm looking at in my LFS says it's "powder brown/gold rim" are they two different fish?

I must admit if I could find a gem tang zebrasoma gemmatum I'd have that over the powder brown, I love the look of the powder bit there is something about the gem that I really like ( also couldn't afford one)

Yes, they're different, though it could be a hybrid. However, I'd suspect the LFS just doesn't really know what they're doing.

Uncle99 · Jun 20, 2020

I would not let the risk of ick stop you. The chance of ick reduces when:
We buy fish from LFS which has already QT. On-line OK if no LFS.
Do a quick FW dip and move to our QT.
Feed well and observe only for at least 21 days.
We provide a low stress environment, both in tank size and other members.
We provide a protein/algae rich diet.