Adding a tang after a PBT

[MattL]

Hello, my name is Matt, and I'm a long time member but infrequent poster.

I am looking to add a second active swimmer tang to my system. I am considering a yellow tang, or maybe an orange shoulder tang which I have also heard tend to get along with other tangs.

My tank is 125gal and has been stable since being set-up in late August 2007. It has held four occupants since that time: A Majestic Angel (~4 - 5"), a Powder Blue Tang (~4 - 5"), and a pair of True Percula clownfish (1"‰, 2"Š). I realize that this particular stocking makes adding fish a little more difficult -- it would not have been my choice to add the angel and PBT first. I have recently added two "overlapping" trios of orange Lyretail Anthias (2", 2‰ / 3Š) as open water swimmers to help dither any aggression between the Majestic and the PBT.

The mental well being of my fish is of tremendous importance to me, along with their physical health. I don't think I need to worry about physical health as the system is Ich free via quaranetine and from the fact that both the PBT and Majestic are now on a diet

The Majestic Angel and PBT get along okay. You can watch a video here of feeding on an algae clip (15MB Quicktime). It is too early to tell how the Anthias are impacting their behavior.

There is jockeying for position and minor aggression in the form of chasing and flashing, but as they occupy different niches, they coexist relatively peacefully and have an unsteady truce.

However, I do not expect this peace to continue indefinitely...

I would like to add a second tang. I believe a more peaceful, open water column tang larger than the PBT would be wisest.

One thought was the yellow tang. I would really like to add one 5-6" if I can find one locally.

I have also heard anectdotally (I have never owned one nor do I have any proof) that orange shoulder tangs also can get along well, but I would be concerned about rapid outgrowing of the 125gal system.

My concern with Ctenochaetae spp. is that they are grazers, and not as active a swimmer as I am looking for; also, they can be rather drab, and I would like something to share the stage with the PBT.

Do any of you tang psychologists have any thoughts? Any other tangs possible? Please advise,

Matt

P.S.: All incoming fish pass through an extensive quarantine system.

 

[kirkaz]

Tough call....I will tell you that in my previous tank, I tried to add a Yellow with an established Achilles (obviously very similar tempermant to a PB), the Achilles made quick work of it. The tang that worked for me was a Naso, I have heard several stories of Naso family tangs working out with Acan Tangs. The question is weather your tank is large enough for one.

 

[MattL]

I have laso heard Naso family tangs can work well. My concern is that the tank would not be large enough to accomodate an 18" fish...

Matt

 

[sufunk]

Personally, i wouldnt put any Naso's in a 125g tank. I have a Blonde Naso in my 180g and semi regret it. He is awesome and gets along with my other tangs but even the 180g is a tad bit small for him i think.

A 125g would definitely be too small, imo unless it is a very small Naso or you are DEFINITELY upgrading in the near fuiture.

 

[GoSUV]

If you add an Orange Shoulder, it will be too timid for the Powder Blue. However, since orange shoulder tangs are sand bed grazers, they might occupy different niches and the PBT "may" co-exist with it peacefully. Also, PBT come from the Indian ocean whereas the orange shoulder mostly come from the Pacific near Hawaii, they might not recognize each others as food competitors.

Most authors believe that the orange shoulder is peaceful, including Scott Michael, but there is also strong opinion coming from Bob Fenner that it is quite aggressive, along the ranks of Clown/Sohal Tangs. I have never read opinions so polarized about a single species coming from SW experts such as these highly regarded individuals.

My juvenile orange shoulder tang is quite peaceful, but I haven't kept it long enough to even form an anecdote. But then, I don't have a PBT either so I can't say.

 

[sufunk]

My orange shoulder is a very active swimmer. He gets along great with my Blonde Naso and my blue hippo. Every once in a while though, he will spend the entire day chasing my Tennenti tang. They never actually fight but he does chase him. However, the orange shoulder and tennenti are very similar in shape and color so that may be what is causing the aggression.

I've had my orange shoulder for about a year and would say that he definitely isnt aggressive.

 

[myerst2]

Hello. A very well written and informative post. I think your tank may be a bit too small for two tangs. Anyway I have a PBT that was in the tank for 4 months before I added a second Tang. I added a Black Tang. They are different species and different color. Also which helps greatly is getting the second tang bigger than the first tang. Here are some pics so you can see the size difference. As far as aggression there was some at first. The PBT charged the newcomer and tail wipped him a couple of times. Then within 15 minutes the bigger Black Tang out him in his place. Good luck and hope this helps, Tim