2 Tangs + trigger to much?

[expo703]

Thinking of a powder blue + purple tang + blue throat trigger in my 135 6 foot x 18 x 24 tank? Do you think that is enough swimming rooming? I'm also going to do a copper band, two clowns, 3 wrasses, 3 anthias.

Thanks,

 

[scooter31707]

I would take the Powder Blue off your list. They require at a 180 gallon. Purple Tang is durable, but I would make that the only Tang. Has a chance to be aggressive in that size tank as it mature, especially with another Tang present.

 

[expo703]

I see on liveaquaria its :

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

 

[deleau]

Read on...there's more in the details. Plus, LA (which I use frequently) is in the business of selling fish. Most people on RC are giving advise based on theirs and others experiences with these fish (often trying a very similar setup).

Your mileage may vary, but you'll find a lot of conservative/cautious recommendations, especially when it comes to tangs.

My $0.02. I'd drop the PBT for sure; maybe for a bristletooth tang if you are set for two grazers. You have an otherwise peaceful tank (depending on the clown species), so I wouldn't want too much tang aggression that may cause the rest of get shy and/or quit eating.

 

[expo703]

Read on...there's more in the details. Plus, LA (which I use frequently) is in the business of selling fish. Most people on RC are giving advise based on theirs and others experiences with these fish (often trying a very similar setup).

Your mileage may vary, but you'll find a lot of conservative/cautious recommendations, especially when it comes to tangs.

My $0.02. I'd drop the PBT for sure; maybe for a bristletooth tang if you are set for two grazers. You have an otherwise peaceful tank (depending on the clown species), so I wouldn't want too much tang aggression that may cause the rest of get shy and/or quit eating.

Well I really want a PBT and purple I have seen people do stupid things with tangs and the only difference from my tank and a 180 is 2"'s in depth. Will it have such a drastic effect to its health?

 

[deleau]

Your tank is 6' long which is generally considered to meet the minimum for a PBT and purple. However, both the PBT and purples have a history of being aggressive towards other tangs. I would suggest doing the tangs last, regardless, but especially so for the anthias and trigger. Make sure everyone else is comfortable, eating and well established before adding the tangs.

My worry was really for the trigger and making sure the anthias and wrasses are not intimidated by the two tangs. If you proceed cautiously, you can have success with your plan.

 

[CHSUB]

i would get a hippo over a pbt....pbt can be very mean. however imo it may work but i would add the pbt after the pt!!!

 

[expo703]

Your tank is 6' long which is generally considered to meet the minimum for a PBT and purple. However, both the PBT and purples have a history of being aggressive towards other tangs. I would suggest doing the tangs last, regardless, but especially so for the anthias and trigger. Make sure everyone else is comfortable, eating and well established before adding the tangs.

My worry was really for the trigger and making sure the anthias and wrasses are not intimidated by the two tangs. If you proceed cautiously, you can have success with your plan.

awesome thank you for your advice! :dance:

 

[expo703]

i would get a hippo over a pbt....pbt can be very mean. however imo it may work but i would add the pbt after the pt!!!

I would like to get a hippo over the PBT but hippo as I have read would out grow my tank and need like 210 gal + That is why I was learning more towards PBT so deciding to skip it.

 

[expo703]

This my new game plan :

3 lyretail anthias
2 true perc clowns (or onyx)
3/4 wrasse (cleaner wrasse,mystery,leopard(maybe a yellow coris)
1 mandarin goby
1 copperband butterfly
2 tangs (PBT,PT)
1 blue throat trigger

Watcha you guys think?

Thanks,

 

[deleau]

I don't think you'll keep a cleaner wrasse alive for very long. Consider a hogfish, perhaps or maybe just a fairy wrasse.

Make sure you have a healthy "bug" population for the mandarin, especially with those other wrasses also out hunting all day.

 

[CHSUB]

I would like to get a hippo over the PBT but hippo as I have read would out grow my tank and need like 210 gal + That is why I was learning more towards PBT so deciding to skip it.

most would say a 6' dt is enough for a hippo. pbt are only slightly smaller and much more territorial than a hippo. i've had several hippo and they have never been a problem and one pbt that had to be removed because it was ripping everything to shred. while diving, i saw a pbt defending its small patch of the reef from a large school of yellow tangs and the yellows moved on!!!

 

[expo703]

I don't think you'll keep a cleaner wrasse alive for very long. Consider a hogfish, perhaps or maybe just a fairy wrasse.

Make sure you have a healthy "bug" population for the mandarin, especially with those other wrasses also out hunting all day.

I have had a cleaner wrasse for 6 months =D He is in QT already with 1 anthias. yeah I have kept a mandarin before and have been seeding my tank with doc eco systems every few months and its fishless right now =D

 

[expo703]

most would say a 6' dt is enough for a hippo. pbt are only slightly smaller and much more territorial than a hippo. i've had several hippo and they have never been a problem and one pbt that had to be removed because it was ripping everything to shred. while diving, i saw a pbt defending its small patch of the reef from a large school of yellow tangs and the yellows moved on!!!

wow crazy.. I just thought hippos can get like 1 foot long and since my tank is only 18" deep thought maybe PBT would be better choice?

 

[CHizer]

I have a PBT and a Blue-Eyed Kole in a similar size tank. The PBT isn't bad but lets the rest know it's his tank. The only other fish of size I have is a blue sided wrasse thats just under 5".

I'd maybe slim it down to 2 wrasse and maybe drop something else too. A lightly stocked tank would help your odds.

 

[scooter31707]

Once again, a PB and PT are in the top 5 for aggression for Tangs. IMO, that's a ticking time bomb waiting to go off, it would just be a matter of when. Everything might be good for the 1st 6 months to a year, but as they mature that's when things get interesting, as they are looking to expand their territory. That's why a lot of experts say get the biggest tank possible for PB. Good Luck!

 

[roberthu526]

I just read RC recommended tank size for PBT is 125 gallon. Thought I could give it a try. Guess not....

 

[CHSUB]

the primary issue here, imo, is not fish size or tank size; it's temperament of a pbt. as a solo tang, fine; with a purple tang, in a marginal sized tank,?.....however, a hippo and a pt were fine together, ime!!!:thumbsup:

 

[expo703]

the primary issue here, imo, is not fish size or tank size; it's temperament of a pbt. as a solo tang, fine; with a purple tang, in a marginal sized tank, ?.....however, a hippo and a pt were fine together, ime!!!:thumbsup:

thx I might do a hippo + purple instead.

 

[CHSUB]

thx I might do a hippo + purple instead.

here are my two guys, were together from 1999 to 2005. never an issue.