How to Identify Powder Blue Tang

To identify Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Vibrant powder blue body, bright yellow dorsal fin, white chest and belly, black face mask extending from the eye to the mouth, and a black anal fin with a white margin. The caudal fin is typically yellow with a white posterior margin.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Bright powder blue body coloration, Vivid yellow dorsal fin, Black 'mask' over the eyes and snout, White chest and belly, Scalpel-like spine on caudal peduncle

Dorsal fin

Single, long dorsal fin, bright yellow, with IX spines and 28-31 soft rays.

Tail fin

Lunate (crescent-shaped) caudal fin, yellow with a white posterior margin.

Pectoral fin

Translucent to slightly yellowish, relatively small.

Distinctive fins

Anal fin is black with a white margin, supported by III spines and 23-26 soft rays. Pelvic fins are white.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Color

   The intense powder blue body is the most defining characteristic, distinguishing it from most other tangs.

2. 2

   Dorsal Fin

   The bright yellow dorsal fin is a key identifier, contrasting sharply with the blue body.

3. 3

   Facial Mask

   The prominent black mask covering the eyes and snout is unique to this species.

4. 4

   Caudal Spine

   Like all surgeonfishes, it possesses a sharp, retractable spine on each side of the caudal peduncle (base of the tail), which is used for defense. This spine is typically white or pale.

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