How big does Powder Blue Tang get?

Powder Blue Tang reaches an adult standard length of 18–23 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Powder Blue Tang need?

24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.

What is the smallest tank for Powder Blue Tang?

At least 400 L, and no shorter than 150 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Powder Blue Tang like to keep?

Temperament: aggressive. Difficulty: advanced. It occupies the all levels and is herbivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".

Can Powder Blue Tang be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Powder Blue Tang and Yellow Tang is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 53Marine

Powder Blue Tang白胸吊

Acanthurus leucosternon · Acanthuridae

Blue body, white chest, black face; stunning but notoriously ich-prone.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 53 · Powder Blue Tang Acanthurus leucosternon

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 白胸吊
Scientific name: Acanthurus leucosternon
Family: Acanthuridae
Origin: Indian Ocean coral reefs
Adult size: 18–23 cm
Temperament: Aggressive
Diet: Herbivore
Water level: All levels
Level: Advanced
Min. tank: 400 L
Min. length: 150 cm
Reef safe: Reef safe

Water requirementsMarine

Temp.24–27 °C

pH8.1–8.4

Salinity1.023–1.026 SG

Alkalinity7–9 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Poor disease resistance; ich and lateral-line erosion are common, so extend quarantine.
2Very sensitive to swings; keep salinity and alkalinity steady.
3Almost certain to fight other surgeonfish, especially similar-sized ones.
4Needs heavy algae feeding, open swimming room and strong flow.
5Reef safe, and once settled a great algae grazer.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Powder Blue Tang against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Powder Blue Tang get?: Powder Blue Tang reaches an adult standard length of 18–23 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Powder Blue Tang need?: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.
What is the smallest tank for Powder Blue Tang?: At least 400 L, and no shorter than 150 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Powder Blue Tang like to keep?: Temperament: aggressive. Difficulty: advanced. It occupies the all levels and is herbivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".
Can Powder Blue Tang be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Powder Blue Tang and Yellow Tang is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.