Adding purple tang to yellow and others

[ben jammin]

I have a yellow tang, hippo tang, powder blue tang and tomini tang in a 260. All have been established for several months at least. I'd like to add a purple but I know that there can be issues keeping two zebrasomas together. I have a large acclimation box for wrasses but it's not really large enough to comfortably keep a 4" tang (the size I'd get to be larger than my yellow) for more than a few hours. Given my tank size, any thoughts on whether I can make this work, and what the best strategy would be? Or is it not worth the risk?

 

[Andrew D]

I have many more tangs in a 350, including 3 yellows and a purple. When I introduced my purple, I was worried about the yellow I had which was large and quite aggressive. I removed him and returned him to the LFS, and bought three smaller yellows which I QT'ed together in a separate tank from the purple. After the appropriate amount of time, I introduced the three yellows and the purple at the same time, along with about a half dozen anthias and a copperband. Things were crazy for a couple of days, but with so many fish the aggression was diffused so no one was picked on too much. After a few days, things settled down and while it's far from a peaceful tank, all seem to get along reasonably well. Helps that they are the same size. I recently added a sohal to my three yellows, purple, regal, kole, naso and powder blue. Don't think I have any more big fish on my wish list. Colours are beautiful though.

I'd say go for it. Andrew

 

[Stevenliu9]

I've always heard hit or miss- I added my smaller yellow tang after having a larger desjardini in and they never fought, doing just fine. but I have also heard horror stories from others mixing zebrasoma. I guess it all depends on their personality.

 

[Dmorty217]

If you don't currently already own one I would suggest a acclimation box so they can observe one another and you can judge aggression that way

 

[Stevenliu9]

If you don't currently already own one I would suggest a acclimation box so they can observe one another and you can judge aggression that way

+1 for the acclimation box suggestion. It's really easy to build too if you are into DIY.

 

[Finnaddict]

in my last set up I had a yellow , purple and sail fin together in a 180 with no fighting. I think I got lucky though. Not usually the norm. As mentioned above a acclimation box is probably the best idea.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Having multiple tangs helps, if you can use some type of social acclimation box, that would help too, as would utilizing a mirror on one side of the tank to distract the existing tangs and the new purple can be released to the other side of the tank.