Adding a Powder Blue and Clown Tang

[Kahuna Tuna]

double post

 

[Recty]

Clown tangs are just about the worst choice for a reef fish on so many levels. Its very hard to keep one alive long term, they need an enormous tank (I'm not sure 240 is enough), and they can be among the most aggressive and potentially lethal of all reef fish. Their acanthus is huge and I've read it may be venomous as well and they can inflict grevious wounds with it. This fish does not get mellow with age, its gets even more aggressive and territorial.

I've always wanted one since they are truly among the most beautiful of all reef fishes but I will continue to resist that urge.

Sort of agree with this but sort of not.

The guy has LARGE, existing tangs. If he wants to add a tang, he doesnt want to add a weak, finicky tang.

So sure, for the average person, adding a clown tang might be a mistake but in this guys situation I think it's probably one of the better choices if he wants a tang.

FWIW, I've never seen any evidence whatsoever that a clown tang has a venomous caudal blade, but all your other stuff is true. Of course, most of what you said applies to all tangs, they all get bigger and meaner with age, that isnt a particular trait just of clown tangs. It's just that clown tangs get bigger than most other tangs.

Ideally, dont add more fish to a tank that already has large, territorial, relatively mean fish

 

[Toddrtrex]

How is his situation better? He already has 3 established tangs, one being a purple tang which is aggressive in its own right; adding a very aggressive and large clown tang is just going to be asking for trouble, IMO/E.

 

[Recty]

How is his situation better? He already has 3 established tangs, one being a purple tang which is aggressive in its own right; adding a very aggressive and large clown tang is just going to be asking for trouble, IMO/E.

It would probably help if you read my entire post.

I specifically said at the end that ideally he wouldnt add any more fish to the existing setup. I'm not really sure you're doing anything but reiterating what I already said but acting like somehow I didnt say it.

BUT if he was set on adding a tang to the tank, I'd be adding the clown, not a powder blue, which was suggested to him earlier. Of the two fish, imo, the clown tang has the chance of surviving, whereas I would put almost no chance on a smaller powder blue.

I'll say it again though, ideally dont add more fish to a tank that already has large, territorial relatively mean fish!

 

[Toddrtrex]

Edit -- forget it, not worth it.

 

[Dave1NC]

Agreed. I am just looking for some ideas on what kind of fish you would recommend at this point. Sheesh... . I mentioned a couple in one of my earlier posts.