Powder Blue Tang
(Acanthurus leucosternon)

Descrição

The common name for *Acanthurus leucosternon* is the Powder Blue Tang or Powder Blue Surgeonfish.

**Appearance and Behavior:**
The Powder Blue Tang is renowned for its striking appearance: a vibrant powder-blue body, a bold black face mask extending from below the mouth over the eyes, a brilliant yellow dorsal fin, and a broad white band from the throat to the pectoral fins. Its caudal fin is crescent-shaped, often with elegant patterns. They possess scalpel-like spines on either side of their caudal peduncle (tail base), which are used for defense. These are very active swimmers, constantly darting and grazing on algae. In the wild, they are typically solitary and territorial, but can form large feeding groups when food is plentiful.

**Care Level:**
Powder Blue Tangs are considered moderate to difficult to care for and are best suited for experienced marine aquarists. They are sensitive to water quality and prone to diseases like marine ich if stressed. While generally peaceful with most non-tang species, they can be highly territorial and aggressive towards other tangs, especially those with similar body shapes or colors. It’s usually best to keep only one Powder Blue Tang per aquarium unless it’s a very large system where multiple tangs can be introduced simultaneously.

**Tank Essentials:**
A minimum tank size of 473-500 litres (125-150 gallons) is essential for a single Powder Blue Tang, with larger tanks (600 L or more, or at least 6 feet long) highly recommended to provide ample swimming space and reduce stress. The aquarium should be well-established with stable water parameters, plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding, and open swimming areas. High water movement and robust circulation are also beneficial.

**Diet:**
As herbivores, the Powder Blue Tang’s diet should consist primarily of marine-based algae and vegetable matter. Offer high-quality algae sheets (nori), spirulina, and herbivore pellets daily, ideally multiple times a day as they are continuous grazers. They may also accept small meaty offerings like mysis and brine shrimp, but these should only be a supplement to their main plant-based diet.

**Why Buy From Us**
We are committed to providing healthy aquarium fish. Our Powder Blue Tangs are carefully sourced and quarantined to ensure they arrive in prime condition, ready to thrive in your marine display. We prioritize responsible shipping and offer expert advice for successful acclimation and long-term care, helping you buy Powder Blue Tang online with confidence.

• Scientific Name: Acanthurus leucosternon
• Common Name / Variant: Powder Blue Tang
• Maximum Size: 23 cm
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Indian Ocean, from East Africa to Indonesia, including Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bali)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 22–28°C
• Lifespan: 5-10+ years (up to 40 years in pristine conditions)
• Swimming Zone: Mid-to-Bottom (actively grazes rocks, utilizes open water)

**Add this iconic Powder Blue Tang to your established reef aquarium today!**