Adding Larger PT to Smaller YT?

[atp0726]

I know this topic has been beat to death with mixed results but, I have not been able to find much info on actually adding a larger Purple T to a smaller Yelow T. Has anyone had experience with this? The Purple is at the LFS living happily with a Yellow T about the same size as the Purple, both are very healthy and get along fine. The yellow in my 120g has been in for aprox a month. The Purple at the LFS is around an inch longer than my Yellow. If I could catch the yellow I would take him out and either return it or put them both in at the same time, ideally.

My thinking is since the purple is bigger it will be more intimidating initially to the Yellow which at first will probably be the agressor since it has established its territory already.

Where I live Purple Tangs and very hard to come by and If there is a way to make this work I am more than willing (aside from moving the rocks around, they are epoxied)

 

[MrTuskfish]

Most 120 gal tanks are only 4 feet long. IMO & IME, this is too small for most tangs. These two are from the same genus and generally don't like each other at all. Although groups of Zebrasoma tangs usually do well in groups in large systems, after some initial squabbling. However, just two in a 4' tank will very probably be next to impossible. Its common to see groups of these tangs in a lfs---but never just two. Of course, its been done, everything has an exception. Zebrasoma tangs definitely are more aggressive when they don't have enough swimming room. I've seen evidence of this several times. I've had 3 purples for almost 6 years, the started as small juvis and always do well together. I was re-doing some stuff and put them in my 55 gal QT (a 4' tank); they were instantly at war and the 3 would have become 2, then just 1; if I didn't separate them.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I personally wouldn't do it. Purples are, IME, just too mean -- even more so in a "small" tank. I had one, about 4 years ago, in a 4 foot tank. It was fine for the first year, but as it grew larger, so did its attitude. Near the end of its time with me, it started to attack (( and draw blood )) on my male A. clarkii.

 

[atp0726]

Thanks for the help so far! I am starting to lean towards not getting the Purple, especially if there is a chance as they grow they might be aggressive towards other fish. Purples are expensive but, not compared to my Snowflake Clown pair!

Anyone out there had success with this pairing the way I have described above?

 

[betamed]

Its prolly 80/20 not working out/they live peacefully. I've owned a few purple tangs in larger tanks and they were not kind to other zebrascoma. I've done well pairing powder blue and purple, but not in a 4' tank.