16'' sohal tang

[jarrett shark]

I have one 16'' sohal tang in a 600gal that was with a eel and grouper and puffer that no longer that I have. I am converting this fish only to a reef tank but not sure what other fish i can get without him killing. I know these tangs are nasty to other fish what i was told but was a baby compare to my grouper and eel when i had them. I realy want to get small fish now and just dont want to waste my $$$$$ on fish.

 

[s.reef]

Probably stay away from similar looking fish...other tangs, angels, etc. You probably would be fine with Anthias, clowns smaller stuff that he doesnt see as a threat to his territory

 

[jarrett shark]

Thats is what scares me, just want tangs but i guess i am screwed

 

[jwilliams860]

yeah they can be beasts, especially when they get big, even in a large tank, they seem big to us but to them when they are that size they have alot more room to swim around and rule, I have one in my 300, granted hes only about 6" right now, but hes slowly moving up the ranks in my tank, I used to have 12 tangs in my tank, over the years theyve dwindled in numbers and I dont add new ones just for the fact that hes such a jerk to new tank mates, you can always try and he usually does only mess with similar shaped tangs, I dont see him mess with any of my zebrasoma tangs yet.

 

[mrwilson]

Would love to see a pic. What a beast of a fish that must be.

 

[adammreef]

would love to see a pic. What a beast of a fish that must be.

+1!!

 

[Iwishihadgills]

imo you dont need any other fish. A sohal that size has to be b e a utiful! Adding any other fish would take the attention away lol :thumbsup:
And a photo is needed asap!

 

[aquaph8]

Your best chance would be moving him to another tank for a while and letting new guys get settled before his return

 

[jarrett shark]

Not what i wanted to here,lol
i guess i will try the other fish beside tangs first to see

 

[jmaneyapanda]

A massive sohal in an established tank is going to be hard on ANY fish added, IMO. Im surprised he even lets you put your hand in the tank. Sohals are mean, and get meaner as they get bigger. I wouldnt be surprised if he kills any type of fish added.

 

[aquaph8]

Jarrett, I guess there is really only one way to find out. Hopefully he will be ok as long as he knows he's the boss. I have to see this fish. Good luck man.

 

[mrwilson]

Your best chance would be moving him to another tank for a while and letting new guys get settled before his return

+1. Although certainly still no guarantees.

 

[Vili_Shark]

16" Sohal is one of the most beautiful fish money can buy!
Did you buy him large or did it grow in the tank?

Did you feed your former fish with live fish?

 

[brentt]

ive heard that if you want another tang to put your sohal in a QT for a lil while and put your other tang in your display and give it an opportunity to make a territory and than to add the sohal so its confused just what i heard

 

[29reef]

ive heard that if you want another tang to put your sohal in a QT for a lil while and put your other tang in your display and give it an opportunity to make a territory and than to add the sohal so its confused just what i heard

This method is very unlikely to work. Once the sohal gets used to the dt again he'll go back to killing things. I agree with the others to just stick to the single tang and no other fish, or remove the tang for good.

 

[skibum9884]

I agree with others. You may get away with large fish with a different body shape and coloration. But anything is going to be a struggle with such a huge, well established Sohal.

Maybe try an angel around the same size?

 

[kirkaz]

I respectfully disagree with anyone that suggests moving him out of the tank for awhile to let other fish get established. This could work with a Clownfish, or an aggressive Goby or something, but a 16 inch Sohal Tang will just reestablish himself the minute he gets put back in the tank. I see people suggest reaquascaping all the time, this doesn't work with "truly dominant fish" IMO, my Sohal is at his nastiest after I move stuff around in my tank, again I just think it means they need to reestablish themselves.

If you were to try a Tang, I would do Naso.

 

[jarrett shark]

Thanks guys, might try some small fish and maybe a reef safe angel, i got him 16'' big
wish me luck

 

[aquaph8]

:lol2:Still waiting on pic. Dont leave us hangin.

 

[jaa1456]

You could try some large triggers or angels, I would say something along the lines of a passer as they will not back down from a shoal.