Powder Blue Tang (S)

Description

Powder Blue Tang

Acanthurus leucosternon

Origin: Indo-Pacific – Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines

Size: Up to 23 cm

Reef Compatibility:

• Small Fish Safe: ✅ Yes
• Invert Safe: ✅ Yes
• Coral Safe: ✅ Yes

Diet: Herbivore – grazes on marine algae; supplement with nori, spirulina, and high-quality herbivore pellets.

Care Level: Moderate – sensitive to poor water quality; requires a well-established aquarium and ample swimming space.

Aggression: Semi-aggressive – may be territorial toward other tangs, especially similar-shaped species.

Captive-Bred Available: ❌ No

Notes:

The Powder Blue Tang is instantly recognisable with its bright blue body, black face mask, and yellow dorsal fin. Known for being more sensitive than other surgeonfish, it requires a mature reef with plenty of open swimming space. Juveniles are more peaceful, but adults can be territorial.

Why We Like It:

Striking, active, and elegant, the Powder Blue Tang brings both colour and dynamic movement to the reef. A true centrepiece herbivore, it adds visual impact and functional algae grazing to mature aquariums.