Powder Blue's - what makes them so difficult?

falconut · #1 03/17/2006, 11:17 PM

What exactly makes them so hard to keep? I see them all the time and I see alot of people that have them. But, do they get sick too easy, not eat well, or something else? Anybody know?

skylsdale · #2 03/18/2006, 12:39 AM

They tend to inhabit extremely high-energy areas of the reef (LOTS of water movement = LOTS of oxygenation). Water quality needs to be very high (LOTS of water movement = very little in the way of waste/nutrient accumulation, etc.).

sknoch78 · #3 03/18/2006, 12:40 AM

They are extremely prone to ich. Other than that, they are a great fish. One of my favorites.

vthondaboi · #4 03/18/2006, 12:48 AM

hard to get eating IME

affan · #5 03/18/2006, 12:56 AM

I kept one in a pre-katrina tank for almost a year. They are prone to Ich, but then all tangs are Ich magnets. With optimum water quality and good diet, however, they're an extremely rewarding experience as they're very active and will keep you amused with their antics all day long.

melev · #6 03/18/2006, 01:49 AM

Try reading this article:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/powdbluetg.htm

Alaskan Reefer · #7 03/18/2006, 02:29 AM

Good flow (32X turnover) and oversized filtration has worked well for me so far -- 10 weeks with the PBT. Nori to graze daily, frozen prime reef, formula 2 flake all taken vigorously.

dattong · #8 03/18/2006, 02:43 AM

I don't really know if it's that difficult to keep a PBT but I've been successfully keeping my first PBT over 3 yrs. It over came ich after a month when I first got it

Paaty · #9 03/18/2006, 03:45 AM

IMO tank size is very important in keeping a pbt. A pbt will thrive in 150+ gallon six foot long, well asuming he is fed a good diet and good water quality is maintained.

JENnKerry · #10 03/18/2006, 08:56 AM

They're supposed to be a little less difficult than an Achilles. I think the key is to get a healthy one from the start. These guys do not ship well. I was lucky when I got mine. He had ick for about a month and it disappeared never to come back.

Also a very healthy balanced diet. Everyday mine gets fed formula two flakes in the morning. At night he will get either frozen mysis, frozen formula two, prime reef or frozen formula one. Every other day during the day he gets a nori clip. On the days where he doesn't get a clip, he gets formula two pellets.

falconut · #11 03/18/2006, 09:52 AM

Thanks all.